India’s waste problem highlights significant systemic issues beyond environmental concerns. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, the country produces around 62 million tons of municipal solid waste each year, a number expected to rise to 165 million tons by 2030.
However, only 75-80% of this waste is collected, and less than 30% is treated. The remaining waste contributes to river blockages, envelops cities in harmful smog, and leads to severe public health crises.
India’s waste management journey has seen numerous policies and responses, yet it remains a distant runner in the race. While government initiative like Swachh Bharat mission have attempted to address these issue, they often focus on short-term fixes rather than systematic change.
Beneath the visible garbage crisis lies a deeper problem of inequality, exploitative labour practices, and a disconnect from the environment. Where the economic growth often seen as an opportunity cost with environment and ecology.
Unfortunately, modern solutions are not fully capable of resolving these issues; instead, they often create additional problems.
But what if ancient wisdom could provide a modern solution?
This article explores a fresh, mindful approach by addressing the deep-rooted issue of caste-based exploitation and promoting equity. Through the lens of Buddhist philosophies and principles, it presents practical solutions that uniquely align with the circular economy model, offering a fresh perspective on transforming waste into a resource.
Population Growth and Urbanisation: A Ticking Time Bomb
India’s population growth strains urban infrastructure. By 2050, 50% of Indians will live in cities, but urban planning is outdated.
Mega-cities are drowning in over 10,000 tons of waste daily, with landfills like Ghazipur and Deonar bursting at the seams.
Ghazipur, a ticking methane bomb, frequently erupts in flames, spewing toxic fumes that suffocate residents and heighten the risk of deadly diseases like cancer.
Meanwhile, surging rural-to-urban migration worsens the crisis, as informal settlements struggle without proper waste disposal, forcing people to dump trash in streets and waterways.
The Yamuna River, once a lifeline for millions, is now a toxic wasteland, suffocated by plastic and industrial waste. While the privileged enjoy efficient waste collection, marginalized communities are abandoned in filth, battling disease, pollution, and neglect.
The glaring disparity in sanitation deepens social divides, creating a health disaster for the underprivileged.
With waste piling up and pollution spiraling out of control, mega-cities inch closer to environmental collapse.
Ancient Buddhist wisdom offers a guiding light for change.
The principle of dependent origination (Paticcasamupada) reveals how everything is interconnected and that environmental destruction doesn’t happen in isolation; its consequences ripple through society and shape the future.
Solving the urban waste crisis demands a shared commitment and policies that embed sustainability into city planning, ensuring cleaner, healthier cities for generations to come.
Caste: The Invisible Chains of Waste Labor
India’s waste economy is inextricably tied to caste. Manual scavenging—cleaning sewers and dry latrines—is legally banned but persists, with over 770 deaths reported in sewers since 2017.
Dalits, historically relegated to "unclean" occupations, constitute 90% of waste workers. They earn less than $3 a day, sorting through toxic debris without gloves or masks. In cities like Chennai and Ahmedabad, Dalit colonies are often situated near landfills, exposing residents to chronic diseases.
The caste system normalises this exploitation. Waste work is stigmatised, ensuring marginalised communities remain trapped in intergenerational poverty. NGOs like Safai Karmachari Andolan advocate for mechanisation and rehabilitation, but progress is glacial.
In 2023, the Supreme Court rebuked state governments for failing to enforce anti-scavenging laws, yet municipalities continue to hire contractors who deploy manual scavengers.
In Buddhist principles, living beings have inherent dignity and the potential for enlightenment, no matter their social standing. Contradicting to the idea of manual scavenging.
The doctrine of Anatta emphasises the equality of all beings by stating that we’re made up of different parts and don’t have a fixed, unchanging essence. The worth is based on our actions and moral qualities, not our birth.
Furthermore, the teaching of compassion (Karuna) and non-harm (ahimsa), challenges the indifference that allows such exploitations to persists. Dignifying waste labor, through fair wages, safer working conditions, and social recognition is essential for a just society.
Economic Policies: Growth Over Sustainability
India’s post-liberalisation economic model prioritises industrial output and consumerism over sustainability. The country’s plastic industry, worth $73 billion, produces 3.5 million tons of plastic annually, with 40% ending up uncollected.
Single-use plastics clog drains and rivers, worsening monsoon floods. Policies like the Swachh Bharat Mission focus on building toilets and landfills but neglect recycling infrastructure.
The informal sector, which handles 90% of waste recycling, lacks legal recognition, social security, and safe working conditions. The government’s 2016 Solid Waste Management Rules, mandating waste segregation and processing, remain unimplemented in 80% of urban areas due to corruption and bureaucratic inertia.
This linear model of consumption, where resources are extracted, used, and discarded contradicts with both Buddhist philosophy and ecological balance. The middle-way approach that advocates for balance, aligns perfectly with the idea of circular economy, where materials are reused, repurposed, and regenerated.
Buddhist Principles in Waste Management
Eco-Sattva Approach
The Eco-Sattva approach, inspired by Buddhism, combines ecological awareness with spiritual principles to address environmental challenges, especially waste management.
In Thailand, temples like Wat Chak Daeng implement the Eco-Sattva philosophy through “Waste Reduce.” Their mindful ecological integration into their practices, turning plastic waste into robes for monks. They encourage reusable bags, minimise disposables, and educate on responsible consumption.
Community engagement involves waste management training, fostering shared responsibility. Organisations like CARPE EcoSattva develop data-driven projects for solid waste management, rewilding, and water source restoration, benefiting millions. This could be adopted in Indian households and companies to do proper segregation of waste coupling it with awareness programs on mindful consumption.
Another powerful model, The Kham River Restoration Mission improved the environment and provided economic opportunities for traditional litter pickers. River restoration projects planted native plants and trees, boosting biodiversity and providing shade. This show that waste management can go hand in hand with bio-diversity conservation.
Flood resilience improved through clean-up and dredging. The Eco-Sattva approach combines meditation and activism, engaging practitioners without burnout and fostering compassion. Reinforcing the path of practicality with spirituality that is often lost in in today’s world.
Waste-Merit Management
Another powerful model is Merit-making through waste donation, a practice in Langsuan, Thailand, that transforms trash into spiritual merit associated with almsgiving.
Temple-centred recycling, exemplified by Wat Ratchaburana, provides a spiritual incentive for recycling. Proceeds from recycling support the temple, reinforcing the connection between waste management and spirituality.
This concept in India could help dismantle caste stigma in India. Dalit workers, instead of being dehumanised could be at the forefront of temple-led recycling initiatives earning both wages and social respect.
By reframing waste work as a sacred duty, rather than an oppressive burden done by all castes irrespective of the prejudiced caste system segregation of waste, society can begin to undo centuries of discrimination.
Buddhist environmental ethics are integrated into waste management practices, such as garbage-free funerals and aligned waste disposal.
This approach addresses practical waste management issues while providing spiritual benefits, as participants accumulate good karma through their actions.
Holistic Approach
The Ampara District in Sri Lanka implemented a comprehensive three-year waste management project from 2006 to 2009. It addressed solid waste management across the district, improving environmental conditions and public health while enhancing local authorities’ capacity.
Infrastructure Development of the project constructed seven engineered landfills, one waste transfer station, four recycling centres, and five compost yards. This systematic approach embodies the Buddhist principle of mindful action and responsible resource stewardship.
Community engagement focused on raising awareness and changing mindsets about waste disposal, mirroring Buddhist emphasis on education and mindfulness. The holistic approach addressed the entire waste cycle, reflecting Buddhist view of interconnectedness.
India could follow suit by enforcing its Solid Waste Management Rules (2016) and incentivising municipalities to meet recycling targets that include Dalit workers.
Schools could incorporate waste audits into their curriculum, helping students understand the lifecycle of waste and the principles of interdependence.
Sustainable practices promoted recycling and composting, aligning with Buddhist principles of moderation. The long-term vision aimed to create a replicable model, reflecting Buddhist compassion for future generations.
Integrating these practices with Buddhist principles fosters effective, sustainable, and culturally resonant approaches to environmental challenges.
Conclusion
India’s waste management crisis is a chance to change things. By taking Buddhist ideas that focus on being present, connected, and involved with the community, India can turn its trash into something valuable.
India’s waste crisis is not just an environmental issue but is mirror reflecting societal values. Waste reveals what a society prioritises and what it neglects.
The journey from trash to wisdom isn’t just about getting rid of waste, but about changing how we think about what we use, what we have, and how we interact with each other. Buddhist wisdom urges us to see waste not as garbage, but an a teacher.
As India faces this challenge, it has the potential to become a leader in sustainable waste management, showing that taking care of the environment and being wise can go together to make lasting, positive changes.