Ranchi: In a major push towards sustainable urban sanitation, the state urban development agency (SUDA) is preparing to introduce upgraded, eco-friendly technologies for processing solid waste across urban local bodies (ULBs) in Jharkhand.The agency has invited firms to set up state-of-the-art waste management facilities designed to maximise resource recovery, minimise landfill dependence, and adhere to environmental compliance norms.Speaking to TOI, SUDA director Suraj Kumar said, “Waste segregation at the household level remains a challenge despite efforts. Unsegregated waste makes it difficult to efficiently utilise technologies like composting or bio-methanation. We are aiming at not only disposing of waste but making the most out of unsegregated waste by exploring innovative technologies that are sustainable and eco-friendly.”The required technologies must comply to national pollution standards for emissions, leachate management, and environmental safety. Modern, controlled processing systems fitted with advanced pollution control technology can eliminate over 99% of particulate emissions compared to traditional open dumping, he added.ULBs generate around 100 to 150 tonnes per day (TPD) of municipal solid waste across the state, requiring scientific processing rather than hazardous open dumping. Existing processing units in most ULBs lack the mechanisms to sort mixed waste on-site, resulting in poor yields of recycled byproducts and unsustainable accumulation of garbage at landfills.At present, municipal bodies bear around 15% of total processing costs, while the rest is earned through door-to-door collection fees. The proposed model seeks to eliminate this financial burden on local authorities.Under the new arrangement, the govt will provide land, water supply, and waste to the agency, but no financial subsidy. Implementing agencies will retain 100% of the revenue generated from selling processed byproducts, such as compost, biogas, refuse-derived fuel, and recyclable materials.The commercial incentive would drive private players to recover maximum value from waste while drastically lowering the dumping volume. It would also encourage existing agencies to upgrade their technology, officials stated.“The ultimate aim is to select agencies that will design, finance, install, and operate a waste processing system without any financial charge to the govt, leveraging the value in waste to sustain the operations,” Kumar added.
