On the occasion of World Habitat Day on 6th October the United Nations Programme for Human Settlements, UN Habitat, was mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1978 to address issues of urban growth and works for a better urban future in over 90 countries started a world wide campaign on how waste can be transformed into a valuable resource. It stated that , 3 billion people lack access to controlled waste disposal facilities.

As of date fifty five percent of the world’s population live in cities and towns and the number is alarmly growing every day resulting into growing urban challenges across the globe. Though cities provide various economic opportunities for mankind for livelihood and jobs but also face demographic, environmental, economic and social challenges.

Ways and means to ensuring cities across the globe have the capacity, capability and tools to face the challenges of urbanization has become a monstrous if not cancerous issue for each city.

Urban wastes are one of the major cause of man made floods, pollution and health disorders in the cities. UN-Habitat has invited cities to join the Waste Wise Cities Campaign, where cities are invited to follow few processes that can help them manage urban waste intelligently.

Key Principles outlined in the campaigns and as shared by UN Habitat are listed below:

•Assess quantity and type of waste generated by residents, establishments and businesses.

• Improve collection and transportation of waste.

• Ensure environmentally safe.

• Promote the 5 Rs – Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Refuse the use of single-use items, to derive maximum value from waste.

• Empower and work with civil society, NGOs, private and informal sectors.

• Establish better working conditions for waste workers, whether in formal or informal employment.

• Carefully evaluate and implement innovative technological alternatives, e.g. waste-to-energy schemes, and learn from other cities.

• Make long-term strategic plans for urbanisation, which fully consider solid waste generation and treatment

• Design financial and other incentives, promoting a transition to a more circular economy and reducing waste;

• Encourage “Rethinking on waste” through public education and awareness efforts to change public attitudes towards waste.

• Regularly review progress on Municipal Solid Waste Management in the city and provide achievements and success stories annually on the Waste Wise Cities Campaign website.

• Strive towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the goals of the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda.

The cities can join the campaign where UN Habitat shall recognise, share, provide technical and strategic assistance on municipal solid waste management.

UN-Habitat will assist cities that join the Waste Wise Cities Campaign through:

The municipal corporations can contact Andre Dzikus, Coordinator Urban Basic Services Branch, UN Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
wastewisecities@un.org

Time is ticking and even though Government of India has started various programs and innovative steps but looking into India being worlds second largest population the awareness of people and action by municipal corporations has to be robust and a top priority.

The agenda should not be ‘managing the menace’ but should be focused on how to convert the ‘waste to wealth’.