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Analysis of informal waste management using system dynamic modelling
Kaveri Kala1, Nomesh B Bolia1, Sushil2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India.
Heliyon
|August 22, 2022
Summary
Integrating India's informal waste management sector is key to sustainability. Policies strengthening this sector can eliminate landfill waste and boost recycling capacity to 100%, benefiting the environment and economy.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Waste Management
- Socio-economics
Background:
- The informal sector is crucial for sustainable waste management in densely populated India, offering environmental and human resource benefits.
- Negative perceptions of the informal sector have led to policies that hinder its effectiveness, despite rising waste generation.
- Global trends show a move towards incorporating informal waste management into policy initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a system dynamics model to analyze the impact of policies on the informal waste management sector.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of current and proposed strategies for informal waste management in Delhi, India.
- To quantify the economic and environmental benefits of integrating the informal sector.
Main Methods:
- Development of a pioneering system dynamics model using STELLA Architect software.
- Analysis of policy impacts on the informal waste management value chain.
- Case study application in Delhi, India, to illustrate model insights.
Main Results:
- Leveraging the informal sector's strengths can yield significant economic and environmental benefits.
- Efficient policies can reduce landfill waste to zero and increase recycling capacity from 39% to 100% within 30 years.
- Strengthening the informal recycling coefficient (IRC) positively impacts land use, environmental degradation, and operational costs.
Conclusions:
- Formalizing and strengthening the informal waste management sector is essential for sustainable urban development.
- Policy interventions can transform the informal sector from a perceived problem into a solution for waste management challenges.
- The system dynamics model provides a valuable tool for optimizing waste management strategies and maximizing resource recovery.
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