The Solid Waste Category under the Physical Pillar considers three core indicators to calculate the category Index. It primarily looks at household coverage, efficiency in collection and extent of recycling.

A total of 3 parameters have been considered for determining the Solid Waste Index. These have been explained below. Kindly click each parameter for detailed description and tentative sources of information.

No. Name Unit Benchmark
14.1 Household level coverage of municipal solid waste collection   Percentage 100% Door to Door
Description:
The extent to which households and establishments in the city are covered through door-to-door collection of municipal solid wastes on a daily basis. SLBs for Urban Services developed by the MoUD provide guidance on the service levels for solid waste management.
Expressed as:
Total number of households and establishments covered through doorstep collection
X 100 =
Total number of households and establishments in the city
Methodology/ Interpretation and Sources of Data:
  • Data on coverage of doorstep collection can be obtained from the records of the ULB or private operators employed by the ULB, as applicable. This data can be further verified from available records for user charges (if any) collected by the service providers for doorstep collection.
  • In addition to services provided by the ULB or designated service providers, households and establishments covered through Resident Welfare Associations or Traders’ Associations should also be included.
  • Total number of households should be calculated on the basis of the decennial Census of India. Past census figures should be used as base, and annual growth rate should then be used to arrive at current population.
  • Total number of establishments can be obtained from the records of the ULB. Wherever available, data on total number of households/ establishments can be obtained from updated GIS spatial data of the city.
14.2 Efficiency of collection of municipal solid waste   Percentage 100%
Description:
The extent to which the quantum of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in the city is collected by the ULB or its authorised service providers (private operators). SLBs for Urban Services developed by the MoUD provide guidance on the service levels for solid waste management.
Expressed as:
Total quantum of MSW collected by the ULB or private operator
X 100 =
Total quantum of MSW generated in the city
Methodology/ Interpretation and Sources of Data:
  • Data on waste collected from households, commercial establishments and common collection points based on actual weighment, can be obtained from the records of ULBs and/or designated service providers.
  • Waste generation estimates can be based on a sample survey of a statistically relevant proportion of households and establishments. Where such a survey has been carried out earlier, the per capita generation data from such studies can be used.
  • Alternatively, waste generation can be calculated on the basis of empirical standards per capita available for different city sizes. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicates that the per capita generation of wastes in Class I cities is 0.376 kg/person/day, and in Class II cities it is 0.152 kg/person/day
  • The total generation figure should exclude any waste recycled or processed at source, and which does not require to be collected.
14.3 Extent of municipal solid waste recovered through reuse   Percentage 80% or more
Description:
The extent to which municipal solid waste generated in the city is either recycled or processed through centralised and decentralised recycling processes. SLBs for Urban Services developed by the MoUD provide guidance on the service levels for solid waste management.
Expressed as:
Average quantum of MSW that is processed or recycled (tons per month)
X 100 =
Average MSW generated in the city (tons per month)
Methodology/ Interpretation and Sources of Data:
  • Data on quantum of wastes recycled per month at organised large waste processing facilities, such as composting yards and waste-to-energy facilities, can be obtained from the records of the ULB or recycling partners designated by the ULB. Aggregates of unorganized recycled waste can be obtained at wholesaler level.
  • Unorganized recycling through community level composting facilities and reuse through the chain of waste recyclers should be added to organized recycling through the ULB or its service providers.
  • Waste generation estimates can be based on a sample survey of a statistically relevant proportion of households and establishments. Where such a survey has been carried out earlier, the per capita generation data from such studies can be used.
  • Alternatively, waste generation can be calculated on the basis of empirical standards per capita available for different city sizes. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicates that the per capita generation of wastes in Class I cities is 0.376 kg/person/day, and in Class II cities it is 0.152 kg/person/day
  • The total generation figure should exclude any waste recycled or processed at source, and which does not require to be collected