Chapter - VIII Solid Waste Management
Chapter VIII, Solid Waste Management, is official guidance issued by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority for managing waste in the Chennai Metropolitan Area. It sets policies for waste segregation, recycling, landfill improvement, enforcement and future facilities, and identifies restrictions on residential and commercial development near landfill sites.
Scope and purpose
Chapter VIII, Solid Waste Management, covers domestic and commercial waste, industrial waste, hospital waste, electronic waste and construction debris across the Chennai Metropolitan Area. It records shortcomings in the existing collection and disposal system and calls for a comprehensive solid waste management action plan involving local bodies, residents, experts and the private sector.
Who is affected
Solid waste management is an obligatory function of Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, Town Panchayats and village local bodies. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board is responsible for enforcing the Municipal Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Rules 2000 and the Hospital Waste (Management & Handling) Rules in the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
Property buyers, developers, apartment owners, commercial establishments and industries may be affected because the Plan identifies restrictions on residential and commercial development near landfill sites. Parameters for waste management by new houses, apartments, commercial complexes and industries have been incorporated into the Development Regulations in Volume II.
Key policies and proposals
The Solid Waste Management chapter recommends:
- Segregating waste at its source.
- Reducing landfill waste through neighbourhood composting and recycling.
- Assessing existing landfill sites and carrying out suitable improvements.
- Establishing decentralised sanitary landfill facilities shared by local bodies.
- Providing safe recycling facilities for electronic waste and construction debris.
- Encouraging mechanical waste handling to reduce human contact.
- Using incentives to increase private sector participation in segregation, transport, recycling and disposal.
- Considering levies under the Polluters Pay principle for bulk waste generators such as hotels, marriage halls, markets and commercial complexes.
- Establishing decentralised waste to energy plants using proven technologies.
Existing conditions and future needs
The Corporation of Chennai maintained dumping yards at Kodungaiyur and Perungudi. The chapter describes both as overloaded, environmentally degraded and a source of serious health problems for nearby residents. It also states that eight of the sixteen municipal bodies in the Chennai Metropolitan Area lacked designated disposal facilities.
Daily waste generation was estimated at 4,248 tonnes, excluding separately listed electronic waste and construction debris. Generation across all local body areas was projected to reach 6,590 tonnes by 2026.
Monitoring
A Shelter and Infrastructure Committee, representing government and non-government stakeholders and experts, is proposed to monitor solid waste policies and strategies. The committee is to meet at least once every three months and may create working groups for individual sectors.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Can I build a house or commercial property near a landfill site?
The Plan identifies restrictions on residential and commercial development near existing and proposed landfill sites. The supplied text does not state the locations of all proposed sites or the applicable distance limits.
Do new apartments have to provide solid waste management facilities?
The Plan identifies waste management parameters for new houses, apartments, commercial complexes and industries. It states that these parameters are incorporated in the Development Regulations in Volume II.
Can a local body charge a business for generating large amounts of waste?
The policies state that local bodies can collect a levy from bulk garbage generators under the Polluters Pay principle. Examples include hotels, marriage halls, markets and commercial complexes, but no rate is given.
Who is responsible for enforcing waste management requirements in the Chennai Metropolitan Area?
Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, Town Panchayats and village local bodies have an obligatory waste management function. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board is responsible for enforcing the listed municipal solid waste and hospital waste rules.
