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Sustainable waste management has become a crucial aspect of environmental governance, particularly with the increasing challenges posed by waste generation and resource depletion. This dissertation explores the integration of circular economy (CE) principles into urban solid waste management under India’s Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 (SBM 2.0). It emphasizes how CE strategies—such as source segregation, recycling, composting, and resource recovery—can transform traditional linear waste systems into closed-loop models that minimize landfill dependency and maximize resource efficiency.
The research begins with an extensive literature review, drawing insights from global case studies and theoretical frameworks to understand best practices in sustainable waste management. It analyzes successful international models such as South Korea’s Volume-Based Fee System, Chile’s Zero Waste Free Markets project, and Slovakia’s community-based waste reduction initiatives. These examples highlight the importance of policy incentives, technological innovation, behavioral change, and multi-stakeholder collaboration in achieving circularity.
The primary research includes a field survey conducted in Lucknow to assess household-level awareness and implementation of source segregation—a foundational step for effective waste diversion and recycling. The findings reveal significant gaps between public awareness and actual practice, underscoring the need for improved infrastructure, citizen engagement, and enforcement mechanisms. Additionally, the study identifies systemic challenges such as weak Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance, inadequate funding for decentralized waste processing, informal sector marginalization, and fragmented regulatory frameworks.
Through comparative analysis and empirical data, the dissertation proposes actionable recommendations to strengthen SBM 2.0 by embedding circular economy principles at the municipal level. These include digitizing waste tracking systems, formalizing informal recyclers, promoting bio-methanation and composting units, and implementing phased bans on non-recyclable plastics. The research concludes that a well-coordinated approach combining grassroots participation, institutional support, and innovative technologies is essential for transitioning toward a garbage-free, resource-efficient urban future.
Keywords- Sustainable waste management, dry waste, source segregation, landfills, circular economy, Swacch Bharat Mission 2.0, EPR.
