Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Report on Waste Management

Submitted by : Mitali Sagar

Submitted to: Prof. Manisha
Roll no. : 22BC120
Rethinking Waste: A $1 Million Opportunity for Change

Ideation Challenge – Solving a Real-World Problem

Introduction: A Crisis We Ignore, A Future We Can Build

Every day, we generate waste—from the wrappers we toss, to the leftovers we discard, to the emails
we print and forget. In a fast-paced, convenience-driven world, waste has become invisible. Yet, its
consequences are everywhere: in polluted rivers, air thick with smoke from burning landfills, and
communities struggling with overflowing garbage dumps.

The idea that waste is just “garbage” is outdated. It’s time to see waste for what it truly is: a
mismanaged resource, an untapped opportunity, and in many ways, a symptom of our consumption
habits.

This report, part of the Ideation Challenge, focuses on understanding the waste management crisis,
exploring creative solutions, and emphasizing how young people—especially students—can lead a
transformation. Backed by real-world examples, data, and ideation tools like SCAMPER and
brainstorming, the report aims to inspire action while remaining grounded in feasibility.

The Problem: Waste Mismanagement Around Us

India generates approximately 62 million tonnes of municipal solid waste every year, out of which
only 20% is scientifically processed. The rest is either dumped in open landfills, incinerated, or left
to rot. This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a lived experience for many of us.

A quick walk around most college campuses reveals the problem: mixed waste bins filled with food
leftovers, plastic wrappers, paper scraps, and glass bottles—all in one place. This mixing renders
the waste unrecyclable and sets the stage for environmental degradation.
Visible problems:

• Overflowing bins on streets and campuses

• Poor waste segregation (wet and dry waste mixed)

• Lack of awareness and accountability

Impacts:

• Environmental: Landfills release methane, a greenhouse gas 25x more potent than CO₂. Plastics
leach into soil and oceans.

• Health: Breeding grounds for mosquitoes and pests spread disease.

• Economic: Unprocessed waste equals lost resources—paper that could have been recycled, food
that could’ve been composted, plastic that could’ve been reused.

Why Waste Management Matters

Waste management isn’t just about aesthetics or cleanliness. It intersects with climate change, urban
development, public health, and even the economy.

1. Environmental Sustainability
Waste that is improperly disposed leads to pollution of air, water, and land. Open burning of plastic
emits carcinogenic toxins, while leachate from landfills contaminates groundwater. Proper
segregation, recycling, and composting can significantly reduce environmental impact.

2. Economic Potential
According to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Indian waste management sector is
valued at $1 billion and growing at a CAGR of 7–9%. It supports livelihoods in collection, sorting,
recycling, and composting. Innovations like waste-to-energy plants and circular economy models are
generating new revenue streams.

3. Legal and Policy Framework

The Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules (2016) mandate segregation at source, collection
and transportation of waste, and processing through composting or recycling. However, the gap lies
in enforcement and public participation.

4. Social and Community Benefits

Clean surroundings mean healthier communities. When people take ownership of their
environment, they feel empowered and connected. Waste management also fosters inclusivity—
many informal waste workers can be integrated into formal systems, giving them dignity and safety.
Global Context: What the World Is Doing Right

Some countries offer valuable lessons in how to manage waste effectively:

• Sweden: Only 1% of its waste ends up in landfills. The rest is recycled or turned into energy. Their
secret? A culture of segregation and clear policies.

• South Korea: Introduced a “pay-as-you-throw” model where households are charged based on
waste generated. Recycling rates rose significantly.

• Japan: Citizens sort waste into more than 10 categories, and the country boasts one of the world’s
highest recycling rates.

India, while facing infrastructural challenges, has made progress in cities like Indore (ranked the
cleanest city for 6 years) and Pune, where citizen participation and decentralized waste models are
showing great success.

Youth Involvement – Why YOU Matter

Students and young professionals represent a force of innovation, energy, and digital fluency. If
there’s one group that can change how society views and handles waste, it’s us.

How youth can contribute:

• Digital awareness campaigns: Use social media to educate about segregation, zero-waste
lifestyles, and composting.

• Clean-up drives: Organize events to beautify neglected spaces. This creates direct impact and
spreads awareness.

• Sustainable habits: Carry steel bottles and tiffins, say no to single-use plastics, and practice home
composting.

• Innovation & entrepreneurship: Start-ups in recycling, waste-to-art, and eco-packaging are

booming. Young people can lead these.

• Community engagement: Peer workshops, waste quizzes, and sustainability clubs can create
cultural shifts on campuses.

Creative Solutions: Turning Waste into Opportunity

Using ideation frameworks like SCAMPER (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another
use, Eliminate, Reverse) and brainstorming, we developed three creative solutions:

1. Smart Bin System (SCAMPER: Adapt + Modify)

Idea: Upgrade bins with sensors and color-coding that detect whether the user is disposing of wet or
dry waste correctly.
• Technology Use: Sensors notify cleaning teams when bins are full.

• Gamification: QR codes or RFID scans reward users for proper use.

• Pilot Scope: Begin in canteens or hostels and scale up to entire campuses or city wards.

Impact: Reduces contamination in waste, improves collection efficiency, and makes waste
management data-driven.

2. Student-Led Waste Bank (SCAMPER: Put to Another Use)

Idea: A student-run waste collection center where paper, plastic, and other recyclables can be
exchanged for small incentives.

• Students deposit waste and receive tokens, discount coupons, or merchandise.

• Waste is sorted and sold to local recyclers, generating revenue.

• Can tie up with existing NGOs or informal waste workers.

Impact: Proven in Pune and Delhi. Builds sustainable behavior, engages youth, and generates local
income.

Best Solution: The Student-Led Waste Bank

After comparing the feasibility, scalability, and social impact of all three, the Student-Led Waste
Bank stands out.

• Behavioral Shift: Encourages segregation and waste consciousness.

• Economic Incentive: Motivates participation through rewards.

• Community Building: Brings students together for a shared purpose.

• Replicable: Easy to adapt in schools, neighborhoods, and even rural communities.

It’s a solution that combines awareness, action, and accountability—key ingredients for lasting
change.
Other Aspects of Waste Management

As we deepen our understanding, it’s worth recognizing that waste comes in many forms—and each
type needs a unique approach.

• Organic Waste: Can be composted into bio-fertilizer or used in biogas plants.

• Electronic Waste (E-Waste): Requires safe disposal due to toxic components. E-waste collection
drives can help reduce landfill toxins.

• Construction and Demolition Waste: Needs special handling and recycling to prevent dust
pollution and space wastage.

• Biomedical Waste: Especially important post-pandemic, requires strict protocols to avoid infection
risks.

Conclusion: From Wasteful to Resourceful

The future of waste isn’t just about bins and trucks—it’s about behavior, innovation, and systems. If
we can change how people perceive waste, we can unlock environmental, social, and economic
value.

Youth can lead this movement. Through small, consistent actions and bold ideas, we can shift
society from wasteful to resourceful. Whether it’s a smart bin, a gamified app, or a student-run
waste bank—the solutions are in front of us.

Let’s stop seeing waste as a problem—and start treating it as a challenge we’re excited to solve.

Because in every scrap of garbage, there’s a seed of possibility.