SWOT analysis of waste management practices in Chandigarh, India and prospects for sustainable cities

Unscientific disposal of solid waste is common in developing countries, which leads to various environment and human health issues. Considering this, the present study critically investigated the current practices of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in Chandigarh using strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) approach for better policy options. Chandigarh city generates approximately 350 TPD of MSW; which comprises mainly of compostable organics (50-55%), inorganics (15-20%) and inert (19-23%) fraction. The unprocessed MSW has calorific value of 1547 kcal kg(-1) with average moisture content of 50%. The moisture content of the MSW varied significantly in different socio-economic groups including amount of waste generated and its chemical composition (e.g. C, H, N and S). SWOT analysis of MSW management practices highlighted that a single technology (such as refuse drive fuel, RDF) is not effective for complete management of various solid wastes, and hence city specific combination of technologies (e.g. Bio-methanation plant, composting / vermi-composting and recycling unit) should be adopted for sustainable waste management and to reduce its adverse impact. Further, findings of SWOT approach could help in developing a strategic action plans for sustainable cities involving community, private sector and municipal authorities.