GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1181
TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2024
Waste management
1181. SHRI BEEDHA MASTHAN RAO YADAV:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased tom state:
(a) whether it is a fact that as per World Bank estimates only 20 per cent of waste is processed and recycled informally, with atleast 3 million waste workers engaged in informal waste recycling;

(b) if so, the steps taken for the formalisation of waste workers and their recycling operations;
(c) the measures introduced for providing waste pickers with identity cards, and health insurance schemes and training in waste recycling; and

(d) the steps taken to provide subsidised waste picking gear, including shoes, gloves, and protective and sorting tools to waste pickers?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) to (d): As per Central Pollution Control Board for the year 2021-22, the average quantity of solid waste generated in India is approximately 1,70,242 TPD, of which 91,553 TPD is treated. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, mandate State / UT Government to prepare state policy and solid waste management strategy. The State policy and strategy should acknowledge the primary role played by the informal sector of waste pickers, waste collectors and recycling industry in reducing waste and provide broad guidelines regarding integration of waste picker or informal waste collectors in the waste management system. Further, the local authorities are mandated to establish a system to recognise organisations of waste pickers or informal waste collectors and promote and establish a system for integration of these authorized waste-pickers and waste collectors to facilitate their participation in solid waste management including door-to-door collection of waste. The local authorities are also mandated to ensure that the operator of solid waste processing facility provides personal protection equipment including uniform, fluorescent jacket, hand gloves, raincoats, appropriate foot wear and masks to all workers handling solid waste and the same are used by the workforce.