Status of composting in India with emphasis on Delhi

The present waste handling techniques in the States of India were examined. Results indicated that around 7% of waste is being composted in India at present. The cities having composting facilities have grown from 22 in the year 2008 to 115 cities at present. Also, out of the total 369 compost plant in India, 177 are in operation and 192 are at planned stage. Delhi is the most densely populated and urbanized city of India. The annual growth rate in population during the last decade (1991-2001) was 3.85%, almost double the national average. Delhi is the largest producer of municipal solid waste in India, producing nearly 8000 metric tons of solid waste every day, which is projected to rise to 17,000-25,000 tonnes/day by the year 2021. Out of the generated waste approximately 6,500 to 7000 MT per day is collected. Approximately 650 MT per day of waste is composted and the remaining is sent to a landfill. There are four Compost plants in Delhi i.e. Okhla, Bawana, Tikri and Bhalswa. Visits to the compost plants showed that the compost plants in Delhi were operating at less than their design capacity. The quality of compost being produced at Okhla compost plant and Bawana compost plant was good and adhered to the specifications stipulated by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The compost being produced at the Bhalswa and Tikri compost plants were not of the desired quality.