Agra: Muncipal Solid Waste Management - Report

Salan Khalkho
Last Updated: 16 Nov, 2022

Agra generates 796 Metric Ton of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Per day. The city is spread over an area of 4027 sq.km. with population density of 1097 people per square kilometer. The waste segregation at the source stands at just about 69%. With 73.11% literacy rate, there is further scope for improvement.

Image depecting Agra generates 796 Metric Ton of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Per day

Agra, has a population of approximately 2261561 (2021). The average waste generated per person per day in Agra is 62 Gram. Agra produces 290540 tonnes of MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) per annum. Agra faces the problem of managing solid waste like any other city of India. Increased use of Color coded dustbins in Agra households and workplace can lead to more efficient waste management with increased waste segrigation at source. Every household in Agra should start to use Kitchen dustbins to keep dry and wet waste segrigated.

SNo.Table of Contents
1About Agra City
2796 Metric Ton Soid Waste Generated Per Day in Agra
369% Segregation of waste at the point of generation in Agra
4Biomedical waste in Agra
5Agra's Landfill Sites Status
6Density, Population and the Waste Generated in Agra City
7Population Demography of Agra
8Literacy Rate, Income and Waste Generated in Agra
9Management & Handling of MSW in Agra
10The National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Agra
11How to Register as a Hazardous Waste Recycler in Agra?
12Address to Register as Hazardous Waste Recycler in Agra
13How to Get an eWaste License for Agra city?

About Agra City

The city Agra 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 Agra. The waste generated in Agra region includes all kinds of waste such as biodegradable, non-biodegradable, construction, metal, plastic and other kinds of waste.

Demographic LabelValue
Total Geographical Area4027 sq.km
Population (2011 Census)1,585,704
Literacy Rate73.11
Population Density1097 per sq.km
Sex Ratio875 females on every 1000 males

796 Metric Ton Soid Waste Generated Per Day in Agra

Agra, a city belonging to the State of Uttar Pradesh is spread over an area of 4027 sq.km. The population of Agra was 2261561 in 2021, compared with 1,585,704 in 2011. Population growth is a major contributor to increasing Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Agra. Improper management of solid waste in Agra poses risks to the environment and public health. Solid waste management (SWM) has emerged as one of the biggest challenges for Agra. Studies show that the unsafe disposal of waste generates dangerous gases and leachates. Therefore it is imperative that the 796 Metric Ton of waste generated Per day in Agra should be properly disposed in accordance with the 'Solid Waste Management Rules 2016'.

69% Segregation of waste at the point of generation in Agra

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 Agra, Waste segregation at the source is happening with just about 69% of the waste generated. Active participation of people from Agra region is key to the success of waste segrigation at source. Even though people are supposed to sort the waste, about 31% household from Agra 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 Agra

Most Agra hospitals have Color coded dustbins. However, their effective and planned use still remains a huge challange. Segregation of trash in Agra 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 Agra. The liquid waste generated in hospitals, clinics and health care centers in Agra is disposed of in sewers. Medical liquid waste generated in Agra is highly infectious and pose serious health hazard to the lives of humans.

Agra's Landfill Sites Status

Growing popuation of Agra, means existing landfills won't be sufficient. If we talk about, entire Uttar Pradesh, about 0 Metric Tons of Solid Waste is sent to landfill sites everyday. In fact, Uttar Pradesh generates 14710 Metric Tons of Waste everyday. Of this, only about 14292 Metric Tons of Waste is collected and just 5520 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 Agra's Landfills Sites.

Density, Population and the Waste Generated in Agra City

The population density of Agra is 1097 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 Agra Region is 4027 sq km and the population is 1,585,704 persons (2011 Census). The density of population is calculated by dividing 1,585,704 (Agra popuation) by 4027 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 Agra city, the more waste will be generated in Agra.

Population Demography of Agra

Sex ratio of Agra depicts 875 females per 1000 males. The popuation of Agra in 2011 was 1,585,704, in 2020 was 2210246, in 2021 was 2261561, . Public attitude of Agra residents needs to be changed in proper waste handling and segregation. This will save the people of Agra city from several environmental and health related problems. With the growth in population, there will be growth in the generated waste aso. Agra 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 Agra

Literacy Rate of Agra is 73.11%. 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 Agra 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 Agra. Aso note that the per capita waste generation differs according to income, land use etc.

Management & Handling of MSW in Agra

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



The National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Agra

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Uttar Pradesh government to pay Rs120Cr as fine according to the reports pubished on 15-Sep-22. The National Green Tribunal held the state government accountable for discharging 55 million litres of untreated sewage into Gorakhpur water bodies every day.

How to Register as a Hazardous Waste Recycler in Agra?

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 Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control board. They can also apply online by visiting the website of the Regional Office of the Uttar 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 Agra city for scrutiny and check. After this concerned engineer will inspect and examine the site.

Address to Register as Hazardous Waste Recycler in Agra

Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board,
Building.No. TC-12V,
Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar
Lucknow-226 010
Phone: +91-522-2720831, 2720681, 2720691
Fax: +91-522-2720764
Website: http://www.uppcb.com/index.htm

How to Get an eWaste License for Agra 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.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/ngt-slaps-up-govt-rs-120-cr-fine-for-river-pollution-waste-mismanagement-122091700614_1.html


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