Delhi eyes global waste management models to resolve city's disposal crisis

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is looking beyond India's borders to address the capital's mounting waste management challenges. During a meeting chaired by MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar on Saturday, officials examined waste handling systems from three major global cities, with World Bank experts presenting comparative analyses of each model.

Tokyo's approach centred on technology-driven solutions, with the Japanese capital operating 23 waste-to-energy facilities capable of processing large volumes of municipal waste at scale. The presentation highlighted how technological investment enables efficient waste processing while generating energy, a model that could potentially be adapted for Delhi's needs.

New York's system, by contrast, relies heavily on private sector participation, with private agencies managing waste transportation and processing operations, including the movement of waste to facilities outside city limits. This public-private partnership model has enabled the American city to manage its waste streams without relying solely on municipal infrastructure.

Barcelona's hybrid approach, developed under its Zero Waste Plan 2021-27, emphasises decentralised waste facilities, systematic segregation at source, and behavioural change among residents. The European model integrates infrastructure development with community engagement to reduce overall waste generation.

The meeting, attended by MCD's additional commissioners, engineers-in-chief, and deputy commissioners from all zones, indicates the corporation's intent to implement international best practices in tackling Delhi's waste management crisis. Officials are expected to evaluate which elements of these models could be feasibly adapted for the capital's unique context and scale.