Municipal Solid Waste Estimation and Management—Challenges and Lessons From Regional Studies of West Bengal (India)

Solid waste management is a multidimensional challenge, especially in developing countries like India. This paper presents the findings of a study carried out in thirty-two urban local bodies of West Bengal to determine the solid waste generation rate and waste composition based on field surveys covering 5,000 households. The services delivered for solid waste management, the institutional arrangements and the constraints in meeting the prescribed standards have been studied. The level of satisfaction of the citizens and related socio-economic factors were also covered under the study. The collected data was analysed to relate waste generation, composition, segregation and community participation. This study also aimed to contribute to a better understanding of household waste management behaviour by examining solid waste management practices and attitudes. Results from this study will provide inputs to the environmental and waste management planners in their decisions on solid waste segregation and recycling activities in the municipalities and municipal corporations.