Guntur: Muncipal Solid Waste Management - Report

Salan Khalkho
Last Updated: 16 Nov, 2022

Guntur generates 83 Metric Ton of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Per day. The city is spread over an area of 2443 sq.km. with population density of 856 people per square kilometer. The waste segregation at the source stands at just about 97%. With 80.4% literacy rate, there is further scope for improvement.

Guntur, has a population of approximately 875474 (2021). The average waste generated per person per day in Guntur is 128 Gram. Guntur produces 30295 tonnes of MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) per annum. Guntur faces the problem of managing solid waste like any other city of India. Increased use of Color coded dustbins in Guntur households and workplace can lead to more efficient waste management with increased waste segrigation at source. Every household in Guntur should start to use Kitchen dustbins to keep dry and wet waste segrigated.

About Guntur City

The city Guntur is witnessing rapid pace of increase in population, economic growth, urbanization and industrialization. All of this is leading to solid waste generation at an accelerated rate in Guntur. The waste generated in Guntur region includes all kinds of waste such as biodegradable, non-biodegradable, construction, metal, plastic and other kinds of waste.

83 Metric Ton Soid Waste Generated Per Day in Guntur

Guntur, a city belonging to the State of Andhra Pradesh is spread over an area of 2443 sq.km. The population of Guntur was 875474 in 2021, compared with 647,508 in 2011. Population growth is a major contributor to increasing Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Guntur. Improper management of solid waste in Guntur poses risks to the environment and public health. Solid waste management (SWM) has emerged as one of the biggest challenges for Guntur. Studies show that the unsafe disposal of waste generates dangerous gases and leachates. Therefore it is imperative that the 83 Metric Ton of waste generated Per day in Guntur should be properly disposed in accordance with the 'Solid Waste Management Rules 2016'.

97% Segregation of waste at the point of generation in Guntur

The main component of waste management is segregation of dry and wet waste. Waste segrigation plays key role in ensuring proper recovery, reuse and recycling of collected waste. In Guntur, Waste segregation at the source is happening with just about 97% of the waste generated. Active participation of people from Guntur region is key to the success of waste segrigation at source. Even though people are supposed to sort the waste, about 3% household from Guntur don't segrigate the waste into dry and wet waste. Wet waste includes that of food leftovers, fruit and vegetable skin and other kinds of waste generated in the kitchen. Dry waste constitutes plastic, paper, glass and other items which do not decompose.

Biomedical waste in Guntur

Most Guntur hospitals have Color coded dustbins. However, their effective and planned use still remains a huge challange. Segregation of trash in Guntur is important because mixing general municipal garbage with biomedical waste leads to added burden on the incinerators designed to handle biohazardous waste alone. Segregation of Biomedical Waste with the help of Bio Medical Waste Bin and Biomedical Sharp Container should be done. Disposable Sharps Containers for disposing biohazard waste is another better and safe solution for Hospitals in Guntur. The liquid waste generated in hospitals, clinics and health care centers in Guntur is disposed of in sewers. Medical liquid waste generated in Guntur is highly infectious and pose serious health hazard to the lives of humans.

Guntur's Landfill Sites Status

Growing popuation of Guntur, means existing landfills won't be sufficient. If we talk about, entire Andhra Pradesh, about 205 Metric Tons of Solid Waste is sent to landfill sites everyday. In fact, Andhra Pradesh generates 6898 Metric Tons of Waste everyday. Of this, only about 6829 Metric Tons of Waste is collected and just 1133 Metric Ton Per Day is treated. Ironicaly the waste collected is dumped together at the landfills. These are largely un-regulated and are hazardous to surrounding areas of Guntur's Landfills Sites.

Density, Population and the Waste Generated in Guntur City

The population density of Guntur is 856 people per square kilometer (2011 Census). In context to the waste generation, it is important to know the density of any city because there is a direct link between the population density and the waste generated per day. The density of population is the ratio between the numbers of people to the size of land. It is usually measured in persons per sq.km. For example, the area of Guntur Region is 2443 sq km and the population is 647,508 persons (2011 Census). The density of population is calculated by dividing 647,508 (Guntur popuation) by 2443 sq km.

According to an estimate, it is found that household size is directly proportional to waste generation. As the household size increases, the waste generation will also increase. In other words, bigger the household size Guntur city, the more waste will be generated in Guntur.

Population Demography of Guntur

Sex ratio of Guntur depicts 1019 females per 1000 males. The popuation of Guntur in 2011 was 647,508, in 2020 was 854488, in 2021 was 875474, . Public attitude of Guntur residents needs to be changed in proper waste handling and segregation. This will save the people of Guntur city from several environmental and health related problems. With the growth in population, there will be growth in the generated waste aso. Guntur city will have to bear the burden of handling additional waste in the days to come as the population grows.

Literacy Rate, Income and Waste Generated in Guntur

Literacy Rate of Guntur is 80.4%. A study conducted by the Population Foundation of India has found out that each year of education in India increases a person's average income by 6.7%. Income and waste generation are directly proportional to each other. As the income level increases, waste generation also increases. Increased literacy rate of Guntur denotes increase in income level. However, it is observed that while segrigating the waste generation to biodegradable waste generation and plastic waste generation, High Income Grade is less in biodegradable waste generation than Low Income Grade. This explains the use and throw culture of High Income Grade population of Guntur. Aso note that the per capita waste generation differs according to income, land use etc.

Management & Handling of MSW in Guntur

The Guntur Municipal Corporation is responsible for collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of Municipal Solid Waste generated.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Guntur

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Andhra Pradesh government to pay Rs243Cr as fine according to the reports pubished on 3-Aug-22. NGT imposes Rs 243 crore penalty on Andhra Pradesh government for violation of environmental laws in the construction of Polavaram, Pattiseema and Chintalapudi projects, causing substantial damage to the environment.

How to Register as a Hazardous Waste Recycler in Guntur?

Companies or businesses can register themselves as Hazardous Waste Recyclers in Gorakhpur by personally visiting and applying at the Regional office of the Pollution Control Board of Gorakhpur, that is the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control board. They can also apply online by visiting the website of the Regional Office of the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control board. From there you will need to collect and fill the application form and submit it along with essential information and details in accordance with the need to recycle Hazardous and other wastes. Part D of the form should be filled carefully and should be attested by the applicant’s signature before submitting. Also make sure all the documents are attached that are listed in “Required Documents” section of the form. The form has to be submitted to the District Environmental Engineer of Guntur city for scrutiny and check. After this concerned engineer will inspect and examine the site.

Address to Register as Hazardous Waste Recycler in Guntur

Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board,
D.No. 33-26-14 D/2, Near Sunrise Hospital,
Pushpa Hotel Centre, Chalamalavari Street,
Kasturibaipet,
Vijayawada – 520 010
Phone: 0866-2463200.
Website: https://pcb.ap.gov.in/UI/wastemanagement.aspx

How to Get an eWaste License for Guntur city

eWaste License can be obtained from the Regional office of the Pollution Control Board of Gorakhpur. Obtaining eWaste License has become mandatory for every manufacturer, producer, consumer, bulk consumer, collection centers, dealers, e-retailer, refurbisher, dismantler and recycler. The E-Waste rules apply to you if you manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, collect, store or process e-waste or electrical and electronic equipment listed in Schedule.

Disclaimer:
Facts and figures presented in this article are aggregated from various places and their authenticity is not checked or verified. We strongly disclaim any authenticity or correctness of the information available in this artice. The information presented in this article is not intended for any kind of administrative work, decision making purpose, academic purpose or to arrive at any conclusion. You are hereby advised to do your own due diligence and check the correctness of any information presented here.

References:
https://www.census2011.co.in
https://uidai.gov.in/images/state-wise-aadhaar-saturation.pdf
https://cpcb.nic.in/uploads/MSW/MSW_AnnualReport_2020-21.pdf
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ngt-slaps-fine-of-243-crore-on-ap-govt/article37813546.ece