Role of pollution control boards in municipal solid waste management

The authors firmly believe that there is nothing like waste. It is the ignorance of the scientists and technologists that they consider a substance which cannot be utilised as waste. For example, the disposal of fly-ash was a big problem during 1990s, but now it is used in the manufacture of bricks, tiles, cement and agriculture. Similarly, the distillery effluent is used in agriculture. MSWM Rules, 2000 stipulates that the state boards should monitor the compliance of the standards as specified in schedule III and IV and report the same to the Central Pollution Control Board. The state board shall issue authorisation for disposal within 45 days subject to the prior environmental clearance by the State Environment Impact Authority as per the EIA Notification, 2006. Interestingly, the MSWM Rules, 2000 does not mention the crucial role played by the rag-pickers which needs to be acknowledged and integrated.