Title: A review of the current situation of municipal solid waste management in India and its potential for anaerobic digestion

Authors: Rikitha S. Fernandes; Nitinkumar S. Shetty; B.H.S. Thimmappa

Addresses: Department of Chemistry, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal – 576104, Karnataka, India ' Department of Chemistry, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal – 576104, Karnataka, India ' Department of Chemistry, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal – 576104, Karnataka, India

Abstract: This work aims to give an overview of the current situation of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) in India to discuss the consequences of untreated waste for humans and the environment, and to show the potential for sustainable disposal. In particular, anaerobic digestion has been discussed, as this technology is already being widely used in India and proves its sustainable effect. The high organic fraction content in MSW makes it suitable for anaerobic digestion and can be used sustainably. Besides, waste-to-energy (WTE) technology is very profitable due to biogas production out of organic waste and the generation of fertiliser out of the slurry. The result of this analysis on the current situation and prospects shows that India's biogas production is lower than its potential. This aspect is mainly due to non-functioning waste management, including separation, collection, and transport.

Keywords: biogas; biomethanation; biowaste; organic manure; waste-to-energy conversion; waste management; organic waste; sustainable development; landfills; anaerobic digestion.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2021.125196

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2021 Vol.69 No.1/2, pp.130 - 150

Accepted: 12 Apr 2022
Published online: 01 Sep 2022 *