Management of Municipal Solid Waste in India : A Legal Study

Municipal solid waste (MSW) has become a challenge before society as it is neglected subject in the field of environment which is hazardous for the health of human being as well as other creatures too. In general terms, MSW refers to solid wastes from houses, streets and public places, shops, offices, and hospitals. To dispose these wastes in a sound way, the management of municipal wastes is required which involves a planned system of effectively controlling the production, storage, collection, transportation, processing and disposal or utilization of solid wastes. The Constitution of India provides a lot of rights, among them the right to pollution free environment is very crucial. Through judicial articulation, the Indian Judiciary has also played a vital role to protect the environment. Under the provisions of Environment Protection Act, 1986, the Municipal Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Rule, 2000 has been made which lays down the norms to be followed in case of MSW. Life cycle of the MSW may be as-generation- segregation-storage and collection-transportation-treatment-disposal. But, it has been found that in most of the cities, open dumping of MSW is the common practice which adversely affects the environment and public health