Confronting the Waste Challenge: Lessons from the World Risk Poll

The World Risk Poll serves as more than just a study; it stands as a wake-up call, boldly addressing an issue that many acknowledge yet conveniently overlook – the disposal of household waste. The findings of the Poll’s new waste report starkly illustrate the disparities in waste management across the globe. While high-income countries often benefit from well-developed infrastructure for handling recyclable waste, low- and middle-income countries struggle with inadequate systems, resulting in hazardous practices such as burning or indiscriminate dumping. 

India, having recently become the world’s most populous country, is highlighted in the report as facing significant waste management challenges. With rising population and income levels, the volume and complexity of household waste have also increased. How India manages this growing tide of waste is critical not just for the nation itself but for the world at large, given the implications that extend beyond its borders, touching upon global crises like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution in general – particularly ocean plastic pollution. 

In the Indian Himalayan region – one of the world’s most fragile and sensitive ecosystems – Waste Warriors is on the frontlines of this urgent situation. The Indian Himalayas, known for their breathtaking landscapes, are home to over 50 million residents and attract more than 200 million visitors each year. This massive influx generates an astounding volume of waste: over eight million metric tonnes annually. Without effective waste management solutions, a significant portion of this waste is either dumped or burned, leading to severe repercussions. 

In one of our project locations, Muni Ki Reti near Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, we uncovered a shocking reality: over 100,000 square feet of land in just two of its 14 wards is being used as open dumping grounds. 

The World Risk Poll reports that 44% of households in Himachal Pradesh and 32% in Uttarakhand resort to burning their waste. 

The warming of the Himalayas, occurring at a rate of 1.3°C – faster than the global average of 0.88°C – has led to a rapid decline in snowfall. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), those living in mountainous regions are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, facing displacement due to human-induced disasters and the loss of livelihoods and ancestral habitats. 

Given this data, we should no longer need further proof that our health is under serious threat. While discussions around health often focus on vulnerable populations, such as women and children, it is essential to broaden our perspective to include the health and wellbeing of all species on our planet. From the smallest organisms to the largest mammals, these voiceless beings disproportionately bear the brunt of our environmental mismanagement amid the challenges posed by climate change. 

Addressing a problem of this magnitude necessitates collective action and unity; it’s time to move beyond mere discussions and take decisive action. 

The path forward: collaboration and improvement

This pressing issue calls for collaboration among various stakeholders, including communities, governments, NGOs, and other organizations. The insights from the World Risk Poll reveal stark global disparities in waste separation practices, underscoring the urgent need for targeted educational campaigns tailored to the unique needs and cultural contexts of local populations.

At Waste Warriors, we are implementing a targeted behaviour change and information, education, and communication (IEC) approach across the 10+ regions where we operate, reaching 28,766 households and actively engaging with 109,645 people on a regular basis. It's also important to highlight our work in Dharamshala, the home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, where we have been carrying out similar waste management activities for over 12 years. 

We are also collaborating with Engineering X – of which Lloyd’s Register Foundation is a founding partner – on this issue. Under this collaboration, we conducted extensive baseline surveys and community engagement efforts, including clean-up drives, workshops with school students (known as Swachhata Ki Pathshala), stakeholder meetings and training sessions, wall murals, and health camps for waste workers. These initiatives have been instrumental in fostering behaviour change in waste management among key stakeholders.

However, to create a substantial impact, efforts of this kind need to be significantly scaled up at a larger level, necessitating a concerted commitment from all parties involved.

Moreover, we firmly believe in the importance of monitoring and evaluating the impact of waste management interventions. We have recently initiated this process within our organization, understanding that systematic evaluation can yield valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t. This approach should not be confined to a few organizations; it should be replicated across all waste management initiatives to enhance effectiveness and achieve better outcomes. 

The emphasis placed on the composition of waste generated by households in the World Risk Poll study is particularly insightful. Understanding this composition is crucial for developing effective strategies to enhance outcomes. Therefore, we should allocate additional time and resources to this aspect during the baseline assessment to ensure thorough analysis and implementation. 

We commend Lloyd’s Register Foundation, Gallup, and all involved in this vital work. The data generated from their efforts will undoubtedly be referenced by organizations, researchers, and students interested in this critical area of study for many years to come. It is a testament to the importance of understanding and addressing waste management on a global scale.