An Overview Of Solid Waste Management Practices, Challenges, And Opportunities With Special Reference To Pune City.

Waste generation is a serious global problem that impacts the environment, people's health, and the economy. As cities grow rapidly, industries expand, and people's habits and lifestyles change, the amount of waste we produce has increased significantly. This includes everything from household garbage to industrial and electronic waste. If waste is not managed properly, it can lead to harmful effects such as pollution of air, water, and soil, which in turn affects ecosystems and human well-being. Uncontrolled waste can also create health hazards, like the spread of diseases in areas with poor sanitation[i]. Additionally, improper waste management can strain local economies due to the high costs of cleanup, disposal, and environmental damage. To address these issues, it is crucial to find better ways to handle waste, such as reducing what we throw away, recycling materials, and adopting sustainable practices in production and consumption. Efficient waste management not only minimizes these negative impacts but also helps conserve resources and create a healthier environment for everyone. This paper focuses on the overview of Solid waste generation and its management in Pune city. [i] Alappuzha. (2021). Waste-wise cities: Best practices in municipal solid waste management waste-wise cities. A NITI Aayog-CSE survey of 28 cities. Multiple initiatives.