Home Institution

Washington University in St. Louis

Publication Date

Spring 2011

Program Name

India: Sustainable Development and Social Change

Abstract

Jaipur’s rapid development has resulted in its infrastructure lagging behind population and industrial growth, which is especially evident in the unsightly and unsanitary piles of solid waste (garbage) on the roads. This project took a broad system approach to understand Jaipur’s solid waste management system. It investigated how the system is carried out, some obstacles to its success, and the role of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). The findings indicate that there is a multiple-tiered hierarchical system. The system involves a formal sector comprised of female and male sweepers, permanent and impermanent workers, and an informal sector of ragpickers and door-todoor collectors, door-to-door recyclers, NGOs, and private companies. The main problems to implementation of the system include lack of citizen awareness and commitment, no segregation of waste, corruption, technology, and funding. PPPs can help fund larger projects as well as offer expertise, but often the ventures are unprofitable, which discourages companies from undertaking them. Many new projects and regulations such as a new scientific landfill, a composting service, and stricter penalties for littering and dirtying the city are currently underway, which should greatly improve Jaipur’s cleanliness.

Disciplines

Asian Studies | Environmental Health and Protection | Environmental Policy | Public Administration | Urban Studies and Planning

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