Title: Multi-faceted approach for treatment and management of municipal solid waste in India: a comprehensive review

Authors: Partha Kundu; A.V. Anju; V.R. Ananthu

Addresses: Environmental Technology Division, CSIR – National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695019, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India ' Environmental Technology Division, CSIR – National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695019, India ' Environmental Technology Division, CSIR – National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695019, India

Abstract: Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) in India presents a critical challenge worsened by rapid urbanisation, population growth, and changing consumption patterns. Traditional waste management methods in India predominantly involve open dumping and unregulated landfilling, which pose severe environmental and health risks. Recent legislative measures and policy frameworks have laid the groundwork for improved waste management practices. However, implementation remains inconsistent across regions, often hindered by local governance issues and resource constraints. Emerging waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies can significantly reduce landfill dependence and offer promising solutions to this crisis. Additionally, advancements in recycling technologies, such as automated sorting and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT) for waste tracking and management, are transforming how waste is processed and recycled. This review underscores the necessity for a multi-faceted approach to MSWM in India, combining policy enforcement, technological innovation and public engagement.

Keywords: biodrying; biomethanation; incineration; landfill; waste-to-energy; WtE; composting; internet of things; IoT; artificial intelligence; gasification; pyrolysis; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2026.152840

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2026 Vol.25 No.2, pp.99 - 129

Received: 13 Dec 2024
Accepted: 26 Oct 2025
Published online: 13 Apr 2026 *

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