CSE Events

India’s Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016, provide a robust set of legal and regulatory instruments, particularly for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Municipal bye-laws are meant to serve as the most important and primary of these legal instruments for operationalising the provisions of the SWM Rules. But their enforcement remains a concern. Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has conducted an assessment of how these bye-laws are working...

Agra, known for its historical heritage, is a major footwear manufacturing hub, producing 9-10 lakh pairs daily and generating substantial pre-consumer waste that often pollutes open areas and drains. Immediate action from all stakeholders, including manufacturers and government authorities, is crucial for effective waste management. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) recently released a report at a consultation workshop, analyzing the footwear sector and its disposal practices....

Unlined and poorly designed dumpsites pose significant environmental and health risks, including greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution. Recent efforts to bioremediate legacy waste have gained traction, particularly with the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 mandating Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to remediate existing dumpsites by 2023 and 2024, depending on population size. This initiative aims to address millions of tonnes of legacy waste in the coming years, with ULBs...

Plastic waste management is a significant global challenge, deeply embedded in our lives. While plastics are useful, their careless use threatens the environment. Recent efforts, including single-use plastic bans and extended producer responsibility, have gained traction, with the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 prioritizing plastic waste management. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) recently hosted a National Conclave to release its report on the plastic life cycle, gathering...

Methane, a potent short-lived climate pollutant, has more than doubled in atmospheric concentration due to human activities. It has a global warming potential 25 times greater than carbon dioxide and contributes to ground-level ozone, causing about one million premature deaths annually. In urban India, 160,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste are generated daily, with 50-60% being biodegradable, primarily disposed of in landfills, which are the third-largest source of...

Marine litter, a major consequence of the global solid waste crisis, sees plastics comprising about 60% of ocean debris. A 2020 Pew Trusts report estimates that 11 million metric tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually, harming marine life. Nearly 80% of this debris comes from land-based sources, while 20% originates from marine activities like fishing. India, with its 7,517 km coastline and rich ecosystems, faces significant challenges,...

Marine litter remains a global challenge, with 8-14 million tonnes of plastic entering oceans annually, 80% from poorly managed land-based waste and 20% from waterbody activities. In India, with its 7517 km coastline and significant fishing industry, marine litter is a pressing issue. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) created the Coalition of Coastal Cities to foster policy dialogue on marine litter. Recently, CSE organized a 3-day...

The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, classify Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs) as entities producing over 100 kg of waste daily, requiring them to manage biodegradable waste on-site. BWGs account for 30-40% of a city’s daily waste, and cities are mandated to integrate BWG management into their bye-laws. Despite these policies, managing BWGs remains a significant challenge. To address this, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) conducted studies...

The eight northeastern states of India—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura—generate only 1.93% of the country’s urban waste, with over 85% collected. However, waste processing is a challenge, with Sikkim processing just 16.68%, while the rest ends up in landfills, waterbodies, and forests, threatening biodiversity. Factors like geographical diversity, limited connectivity, and tourism complicate waste management. To assess issue and develop a solid waste...

Plastics, while being integral to society, have reached unsustainable levels of production and consumption, necessitating global action. In March 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) adopted a landmark resolution mandating the establishment of an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop a legally binding instrument for combatting plastic pollution. Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which has been monitoring the negotiations very closely and organised a national consultation...