Key takeaways from Indore’s Solid Waste Management model
How has Indore Municipal Corporation continuously improved its SWM system and sustained its topmost Swachh Survekshan ranking?
Solid waste management (SWM) is a growing issue for Indian cities due to legal compliance requirements, and environmental and health hazards from the increasing quantum of waste. Therefore, developing a robust SWM system is the need of the hour for ensuring legal compliance, optimal resource recovery, and revenue generation, as well as for achieving a clean, hygienic & sustainable environment. Notably, the GoI is deeply committed to promoting solid waste management in the urban and rural areas as reflected through Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) launched in 2014. Under SBM, the GoI and the State Governments extend financial support to the municipalities for setting up the SWM system. Furthermore, the GoI undertakes an annual Swachh Survekshan (SS) survey to evaluate their SWM performance and trigger a healthy competition among them. Thus, it is imperative that the municipalities should leverage upon the financial support provided under Swachh Bharat Mission and aim to improve their SWM system and ranking.
In this context, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) deserves a special mention and appreciation for its commitment and continuous efforts to improve the SWM system and ranking. From being placed 149th in a SS ranking of India’s cities in 2014, IMC climbed to the 25th position in 2016, and the top ranking in 2017. Since then, IMC has maintained its top position for the last 4 years until 2020 and geared up to remain at the top in the 2021 survey as well. Thus, IMC has shown exemplary performance in solid waste management and showcased a model that other ULBs should replicate by finetuning it with the local circumstances. On this note, the article aims to assess the key measures undertaken by IMC for improving and sustaining the SWM system and to provide valuable insights for other municipalities.
How did IMC reach the top position?
The journey of IMC from SS ranking of 149th (in 2014) to 25th (in 2016) and 1st (in 2017 and afterward) has been challenging and characterized by a strong political and administrative will, consistent efforts, people’s participation, and optimum utilization of funds. For the effective design and implementation of SWM activities, IMC collaborated with several stakeholders including the private agencies, NGOs, self-help groups (SHGs), government departments, and the citizens. Notably, the role of consulting agencies has been crucial in the IMC’s success. IMC engaged consulting agencies such as Eco-Pro Environmental Services, Basix and Divine waste management services, etc. for the delivery of various services including IEC campaigns, capacity building, collection & segregation monitoring, waste processing, and scheme documentation among others.
IMC achieved compliance with SWM Rules 2016 by implementing numerous initiatives for 100% door-to-door waste collection, source segregation, waste processing, and recycling, 3-R principle, and becoming open defecation free (ODF). The most important measures undertaken by IMC are cited below:
- Introduction of mobile garbage collection vans & installation of tracking devices
- Establishment of modern transfer stations at strategic locations
- IEC campaigns for source segregation
- Data management through collection and transportation app
- 3R initiatives (e.g., Foodbank etc.)
- Installation of color-coded dustbins for waste segregation at the public spaces
- Improvement in construction of toilets
- Waste processing infrastructure (central waste processing facility, composting unit & plastic collection center, etc.)
- Forward market linkages (use of plastics for road construction and repair, selling of compost to the farmers & landscapers, etc.)
How did IMC sustain the top position?
It is often seen that maintaining the top position is more difficult than securing the top position, particularly when there is stiff competition as in the case of the Swachh Survekshan Survey. The secret of IMC’s sustained top-ranking lies in its ambition for continuous improvement, people’s participation, and continuous monitoring system. This is evident from the fact that the number of waste management initiatives has constantly increased from the year 2017 until this year. This is also reflected in their percentage total SS score which is on the constant rise from 2017 until 2020, and still offers opportunities for a higher score. Further, their component-wise scores in ‘direct observation (DO)’ and ‘citizen feedback (CF)’ are also increasing except for a slight decline in the ‘documentation score (SLP)’.
The key measures of IMC to sustain and improve the SWM system include the following:
• Further improving source segregation (adopting six-bin segregation including dry waste, wet waste, plastic waste, e-waste, domestic sanitary waste, and domestic hazardous waste)
• Strengthening waste processing (e.g., setting up an increased number of centralized and decentralized waste processing plants, mobile composting units for home composting, waste to energy plant, construction and demolition (C&D) waste plant, etc.)
• Strengthening market linkages (e.g., use of C&D waste for making non-structural concrete, paving blocks & lower layers of road payments, use of bio-CNG from waste to energy plant for the city buses, etc.)
• Continuous Monitoring system (setting up of a command Centre for tracking collection vehicles, inspection visits, introducing apps for service delivery & complaint resolution, etc.)
• Increasing the number of 3R initiatives (e.g., Bartan bank, Jhola bank, eco-friendly straws, cloth bags, etc.)
• Forward-looking measures (segregation and processing of COVID-19 waste, achieving Water + certification for completely treating wastewater, etc.)
• Enhancing people’s participation (keeping people aware and motivated through IEC campaigns & social media initiatives)
• Stakeholder engagement (partnering with NGOs, private companies, institutions & govt. departments for awareness campaigns, capacity building, operations & monitoring)
Insights for other municipalities
The success of IMC’s SWM model highlights that SWM is a continuous process and not a one-time activity. Thus, it demands continuous efforts and commitment of the municipality, the citizens, and all other stakeholders. The SWM system should be sustained and strengthened through technological innovation, market development, continuous monitoring, and ensuring people’s participation. The municipalities should also adopt an umbrella perspective of SWM and integrate other environmental aspects such as wastewater treatment, bioenergy, water conservation, and plantation in their SWM programs.
Having stated so, stakeholder collaboration remains the key to a successful SWM programme. Therefore, the municipalities should actively collaborate with all the stakeholders including the people, NGOs, consulting agencies, and government departments for streamlining and sustaining their SWM system.
[1] IMC. (2020). Smart City Indore | Solid Waste Management. Retrieved May 3, 2021, from https://www.smartcityindore.org/solid-waste/
[2] From dumping grounds to golf courses — how Indore became India’s cleanest city. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2021, from https://theprint.in/opinion/from-dumping-grounds-to-golf-courses-how-indore-became-indias-cleanest-city/487917/
[3] How Indore became India’s cleanest city with 100% waste segregation and management. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2021, from https://scroll.in/article/939210/how-indore-became-indias-cleanest-city-and-how-others-can-follow
[4] Swachh Survekshan 2017: How Indore Becoming India’s Cleanest City Reaffirms Madhya Pradesh As A Model State | Swachh Survekshan. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2021, from https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/swachh-sarvekshan-2017-how-indore-becoming-indias-cleanest-city-reaffirms-madhya-pradesh-as-a-model-state-7083/
[5] Swachh Survekshan 2021: Here Is How Indore Is Gearing Up To Win Top Ranking For The Fifth Time | News. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2021, from https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/swachh-survekshan-2021-here-is-how-indore-is-gearing-up-to-win-top-ranking-for-the-fifth-time-56845/
[6] Why every city should adopt the Indore model of waste management. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2021, from https://www.dailyo.in/politics/swachh-bharat-indore-clean-city-waste-management/story/1/33625.html
Contributed By- Anirudha Pandav, Manager at Social Lab
Social Lab Environmental Solutions is a waste management company, which helps brands take-back and scientifically dispose of post-consumer plastic waste of their products. Brands take our services to fulfill Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligation under Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2018.
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