ABSTRACT
Waste management is a major issue and challenge from an environmental perspective across the world. It is a systematic process in which waste items from different sources were collected, segregated, and managed in a systematic way. Solid waste comprises of a variety of items under the category of dry and wet waste. Waste items originate from various sectors such as medical, healthcare facilities, market place, agriculture, industry, domestic, 298and commercial sectors. Accumulation and mismanagement of waste often leads to groundwater contamination as well as spread of diseases. Therefore, proper management of waste is the need of the hour. Processes such as incineration, open burning, dumping of waste, vermin-composting are being widely practiced across the world for effective management of waste. Management policy involves reduce, reuse, refuse, and recycling practices for effective management of waste items. The present investigation reports the different waste items and their subsequent management in Ambikapur Township, Surguja through the establishment of various SLRM centers. In the study area, a diverse solid waste management system is in practice. Open dumps are responsible for so many negative environmental impacts in the study area. Due to lack of funding and proper management, the existing solid waste management system is not working successfully in Ambikapur city. Due to the shortage of storage bins, collection efficiency is very low in the study area. Special wastes like hospital waste and other hazardous materials are being disposed of along with the municipal solid waste. Considering the overall negative impacts associated with open dumping and open burning, these practices must be strongly discharged.
