Open Waste Burning in India

Context

A World Resources Institute (WRI) India study based on 11 polluted Indian cities found that open waste burning is a significant winter air-quality and local exposure concern, particularly in areas with inadequate waste-management services.

About Open Waste Burning

1. Open waste burning is the uncontrolled burning of municipal waste in open areas, streets or dumpsites.
2. It is mainly caused by poor waste collection, inadequate segregation and waste accumulation.
3. It releases PM2.5, PM10, carbon monoxide, dioxins and furans, with plastics and rubber producing highly toxic emissions.
4. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 prohibit open burning and assign Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) responsibility for collection, segregation and scientific disposal

Key Findings

1. Winter Spike: Burning activity, waste burned and emissions were up to three times higher in winter than in summer.
2. City Pattern: Burning incidence was highest in Tier 3 cities (49.6 incidents/km²/day), followed by Tier 2 (46) and Tier 1 (39.4).
3. Waste Volume: Tier 2 cities recorded the largest quantity of waste burned.
4. Inequality: Poorer neighbourhoods faced higher burning due to gaps in municipal waste services, with nearly 84 incidents/km²/day recorded in poorer Tier 2 areas during winter.

Why It Matters

• Health Risk: Though open burning contributes less than 1% of citywide PM2.5 and PM10 emissions, its proximity to homes causes high local exposure to toxic smoke, especially for children, elderly persons and waste workers.
• Winter Pollution: Poor atmospheric dispersion in winter can keep pollutants near the ground for longer.
• Governance Gap: Burning reflects weaknesses in waste collection, segregation and disposal, making it a key ULB service-delivery issue.
• Small-City Concern: Higher burning incidence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities reflects their greater vulnerability to waste-management gaps.
• Environmental Justice: Poorer communities often face inadequate civic services and higher pollution exposure, creating an unequal health burden.

Way Forward

1. Improve Collection: Ensure universal door-to-door collection, especially in underserved areas.
2. Promote Segregation: Enforce source segregation and reduce mixed-waste burning.
3. Strengthen Infrastructure: Expand recycling, waste processing and scientific disposal capacity.
4. Target Vulnerable Cities: Strengthen monitoring and enforcement in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
5. Integrate Winter Measures: Include open waste burning in winter air-quality action plans.
6. Protect Workers: Improve safety and formalise informal waste workers to strengthen urban governance and public health in India.

FAQs

Q1. What is open waste burning?
Ans. It is the uncontrolled burning of municipal waste in open spaces such as streets, vacant plots and dumpsites. It releases particulate matter and toxic chemicals.

Q2. Which rules prohibit open waste burning in India?
Ans. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 prohibit open burning of solid waste and place key waste-management responsibilities on Urban Local Bodies.

Q3. Why does winter increase the impact of open waste burning?
Ans. Lower temperatures and weaker atmospheric dispersion can keep pollutants closer to the ground for longer, increasing exposure.