February | 07, 2020 :: On 7th February, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Shri Mahesh Poddar introduced the National Council for Waste Management Bill, 2020 in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill provides for establishment of National Council for Waste Management (NCWM), a national level body for managing various kinds of waste (e-waste, plastic waste, medical waste, bio-waste, etc.) in a systematic manner and suggesting required policy measures to the other executive bodies involved in the process.
With the ever growing population and the basic need of fulfilling the promise of ‘ease of living’ and ‘living healthy’ for all India, it is imperative that the waste that we create is managed properly. India is on the path of development, the buying power of the commoner is increasing and with this the consumption of everything is bound to increase. This will also result in the increase of waste that will be generated. The waste can be domestic, construction, medical, bio, industrial, e-waste, etc. If no efficient mechanism is devised for proper disposal of such wastes, it can lead to major environmental issues.
The waste management in our country is governed by ‘Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’ in coordination with State Pollution Control Boards. However, the biggest impediment in current waste management and disposal mechanism is lack of systematic and robust system of waste management wherein various stakeholders and industry experts come together to formulate most sustainable and environment friendly waste management mechanism. By managing the waste, in a systematic manner, the country will not only save tremendously in its natural resources, but also create an environment friendly atmosphere for all.
Hence, there is a need for a body at national level for effective management of the waste. The Bill thus aims to create a National Council for Waste Management that shall consult and advise the Union and various State Governments with respect to policy, programs, goals and operations of the waste management; to review implementation of current legislations in force regarding the aforesaid subject matter; to set up research and development centers across the all States and Union territories for efficient, cost effective and less polluting mechanisms to recycle and manage various types of wastes; guiding industries to ensure manufacture of quality products to last longer, resulting in its delayed disposal as waste.