A fundamental problem is the linear, non-cyclical, way of treating and relating to waste in India, both on paper
and in practice. Waste is not seen as a resource that can be refined (e.g. as nutritious compost manure or energy) or
recycled (e.g. into new paper and plastic), and thereby generate wealth. Instead, it is often treated as the evil leftover
that needs to be eliminated. Moreover, waste is rarely discussed as part of a cycle of production, consumption, and
recovery, nor is it assessed in relation to environmental sustainability. On the contrary, SWM is seen as a linear
process of collection and disposal and the preceding actions of production and consumption are seldom reflected
upon.
The common practice for household refuse disposal in the local areas is to dump solid wastes openly in
backyard gardens or in an open space. Such indiscriminate disposal is an environmental hazard and can threaten
human health and safety. Solid waste that is improperly disposed of can result in a number of problems. It can create
a breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms and vectors of disease, and cause a public nuisance due to
unsightliness and bad smell. It can cause contamination of surrounding soil, groundwater and surface water, and it
can also create fire hazards, physical hazards and have poisoning effects (from pesticides and insecticides).The
traditional approach where municipal authorities monopolise waste management, ignoring other stakeholders, using
command-and-rule strategies, and ill-adapted imported technology is common in urban cities. The immediate health
effects from hazardous wastes range from bad smells and simple irritation of eyes, skin, throat and breathing (lungs),
to serious health conditions that affect the nervous system and could cause paralysis of the functional body parts.
Some hazardous solid wastes have teratogenic (birth defects) and carcinogenic (cancer causing) effects (Akhtar
2014).