Role of urban governance in waste management with special reference to Bangalore city: Issues and functional challenges

Abstract

This paper examines the role of urban governance in waste management with special reference to Bangalore city. Urban governance of solid waste in Bangalore is managed by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). But it is struggling to manage 5000 tonnes of daily waste through centralized landfills and decentralised participatory approaches. The BBMP supervises waste management in Bangalore aiming to move from a linear Collect & Dump Model to a Circular Sustainable System. The majority of this five thousand tonnes of waste is unprocessed and landfills have almost come to a saturation point creating environmental issues. The BBMP Urban Waste Management Policies are now focusing on decentralized waste management, composting and active involvement of NGOs. The Karnataka State Government Urban Solid Waste Management Policy promotes 3Rs Reduce, Reuse & Recycle by encouraging Waste to Energy projects in partnership with private NGOs and Business Firms. But there are several functional challenges including poor segregation rates with only 30%, limited processing capacity and inadequate infrastructure. Civic Activism groups, activists and residents play a major role in waste management by partnering with the BBMP promoting sustainability and advocating stronger waste management policies.