Managing India’s waste key to energy, climate benefits

The emission of greenhouse gases from waste in India is estimated at 0.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent − roughly distributed equally between emission of methane from landfills and from wastewater. Maximising resource recovery from waste, both material and energy, along with proper disposal will not only ensure proper management but also reduce GHG emissions. India has a long way to go when it comes to efficient waste management. Among urban waste streams, municipal solid waste (MSW), domestic sewage and e-waste require urgent attention as their current management is far from satisfactory.