CONCLUSION

Mismanagement of municipal solid waste management in Bangalore has affected the local environment evident from illegal dumping of solid wastes and building debris in lake beds, open drains, parks and open spaces, etc. Leaching of organic fraction of solid waste has contaminated land and water.  Frequent igniting and emissions of GHG;s due to organic fractions has contaminated the air environment. Higher episodes of respiratory diseases and vector borne disease further substantiate the poor environmental quality. BBMP has outsourced the collection and transport to the contractors, who were chosen on criteria other than the factors that aid in efficient management of solid waste. Influential contractors collect waste and often dispose in unauthorized locations. Automation of the entire process (such as GPS in collection vehicles), appropriate regulatory mechanism would help in reducing the unauthorized dumps in the city. Bangalore has been experiencing floods even during normal rainfall mainly due to dumping of solid wastes and building debris in storm water drains. Major fraction of solid waste being organic, treatment of waste to either energy or manure would help in converting waste to the wealth. Reduce, Recycle and Reuse (3R’s) apart from removal of contractor mafia couple with the efficient treatment of organic waste can only solve the problem of waste in the city. Source segregation and decentralized treatment and management of waste will help in minimizing the environmental implications due to prevailing mismanagement of solid waste management in most Indian cities.