Conference on SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA 2026, Le Meridien, New Delhi, Delhi, India.

India’s solid waste generation capacity is expected to reach 435 million tonnes annually by 2050, a significant increase from roughly 60 million tonnes annually in 2021-22. Official statistics show that a significant volume of solid waste collected in the country is left untreated with a large chunk ending up in landfills.

Efficient and effective solid waste management is perhaps one of the biggest issues that India faces today. The key factors responsible for this are insufficient policies and absence of penalties, lack of civic sense and awareness, financing issues, as well as old and obsolete infrastructure and systems.

India has ample potential for development of waste-to-energy projects; however, the sector has witnessed limited uptake. As of October 2025, only 309.34 MW of grid-connected and 546.28 MW of off-grid waste-to-energy capacity has been installed across the country, with states such as Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra leading.

The sector suffers from insufficient regulatory support, logistical challenges, supply chain issues, lack of financing, environmental concerns and public resistance.

While supportive policies have existed for years, they have not generated adequate interest. To support the segment, the MNRE revised the guidelines of the waste-to-energy component of the National Bioenergy Programme in 2025, simplifying applications and reducing documentation. Additionally, Rs 375 million was allocated to the scheme.