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Winter Waste Burning: A Growing Urban Pollution Challenge

IAS Current Affairs

Study Finds Higher Pollution From Winter Waste Burning

Source: The Hindu
GS III: Environmental Pollution and Degradation

Overview

  • The study highlights seasonal variations in urban waste-burning practices, particularly the sharp rise in winter across different categories of Indian cities.
  • It draws attention to the localised nature of pollution exposure, which may not be fully reflected in overall citywide emission estimates.
  • The findings underline the link between unequal access to municipal services and environmental risks, with vulnerable communities facing a disproportionate burden.
  • Addressing the issue requires a shift towards preventive and integrated urban waste management, rather than relying only on action after waste has accumulated or been burnt.

Why in the News?

A recent study by World Resources Institute India has found that open burning in Indian cities increases sharply during winter, with the incidence of burning, quantity of waste burned and associated emissions being up to three times higher than in summer.

News in Brief
  • The study was based on field surveys conducted between 2019 and 2026 across 11 polluted Indian cities.
  • Tier 2 cities recorded the highest quantity of waste burned, while Tier 3 cities recorded the highest incidence of burning, at 49.6 incidents per sq. km per day during winter.
  • Open waste burning contributed less than 1% of total citywide PM2.5 and PM10 emissions, but remains a major health concern because it often occurs close to residential areas.
  • Poorer neighbourhoods experienced significantly higher burning, with some areas recording nearly 84 incidents per sq. km per day during winter.
Why does Waste Burning Increase in Winter?

Waste burning tends to increase during winter due to a combination of seasonal and urban waste-management factors.

  • Unfavourable atmospheric conditions
    • Lower temperatures and stagnant air reduce the dispersion of pollutants, allowing smoke and particulate matter to remain concentrated near the ground.
  • Post-monsoon accumulation of waste
    • Waste may accumulate in open spaces and dumping sits, especially where regular collection is inadequate.
  • Gaps in waste-management services
    • In the absence of efficient collection and disposal systems, accumulated household and municipal waste is often burnt as an easy means of disposal.
  • Multiple pollution sources
    • Emissions from waste burning add to pollution from vehicles, industries and biomass burning, further worsening winter air quality.
Why is Open Waste Burning a Concern?

Localized Health Risks

  • While open waste burning may account for only a small share of a city’s overall particulate emissions, its impact can be severe at the local level.
  • Waste is often burnt close to houses, roads and informal settlements, directly exposing nearby residents to harmful smoke and pollutants.

Release of Harmful Pollutants

  • Burning mixed municipal waste, particularly plastic and other synthetic materials, releases several harmful pollutants, including:
    • PM2.5 and PM10
      • PM 2.5- Fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less.
      • PM 10- Particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less.
      • These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and may even enter the bloodstream.
    • Carbon monoxide (CO)
    • Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
    • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
    • Toxic substances released from plastics and mixed waste
  • Regular exposure to these pollutants can increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
  • Open burning represents an unsustainable method of waste disposal.
  • It indicates gaps in waste collection, segregation and scientific processing, while also contributing to air pollution.
An Issue of Environmental Justice
  • Open waste burning has a clear environmental justice dimension because its burden is not shared equally across urban populations.
  • Poorer and underserved neighbourhoods often have inadequate door-to-door waste collection, limited access to scientific waste-disposal facilities and a higher presence of open dumping sites.
  • As a result, residents in these areas are more likely to live close to locations where mixed waste is regularly burnt.
  • This exposes vulnerable communities, including children, elderly persons and outdoor workers, to higher levels of harmful smoke and particulate matter.
  • The issue, therefore, goes beyond waste management and air pollution and raises broader concerns related to public health, social equity and the quality of urban governance.
An Issue of Urban Governance
  • Open waste burning reflects weaknesses in urban governance and the delivery of basic municipal services.
  • From an urban governance perspective, the issue involves:
    • Service delivery gaps– Inadequate door-to-door waste collection, irregular services and poor waste segregation can lead to waste accumulation and open burning.
    • Institutional coordination– Effective action requires coordination between urban local bodies, pollution control authorities, sanitation departments and public health agencies.
    • Monitoring and enforcement– Municipal authorities need to identify waste-burning hotspots, monitor violations and ensure effective enforcement of waste-management rules.
    • Inclusive urban planning- Poorer and informal settlements should receive equitable access to sanitation and waste-management services, preventing unequal exposure to pollution.
    • Accountability and citizen participation- Greater community participation, public awareness and accountability of urban local bodies can improve compliance and service delivery.
Way Forward and Conclusion

India needs to strengthen door-to-door waste collection, source segregation and decentralized waste-processing facilities, while improving monitoring of waste-burning hotspots and enforcing regulations more effectively. Targeted interventions in underserved neighborhoods and the integration of solid waste management with city-level clean air action plans can help address the problem.

Open waste burning reflects the close link between poor waste management, air pollution and social inequality. A combination of reliable urban services, public awareness, scientific waste disposal and an airshed-based approach is essential to prevent waste burning and improve urban air quality.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding open waste burning in Indian cities:

  1. The incidence and emissions from open waste burning can be significantly higher during winter than during summer.
  2. Open waste burning is the dominant source of PM2.5 and PM10 emissions in all Indian cities.
  3. Poorer neighbourhoods can experience higher exposure to pollution from open waste burning due to inadequate waste-management services.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Mains Practice Question

Q. Open Waste burning is not merely a waste-management problem but also a challenge of public health, urban governance and environmental justice. Discuss. (250 words)

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