| Study Period | 2020 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 7.85 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 10.37 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 5.72 % |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Analysis
The India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size is estimated at USD 7.85 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 10.37 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.72% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
In recent years, India's solid waste management sector has experienced notable growth, largely driven by government initiatives emphasizing cleanliness and sanitation. With a burgeoning population and swift urbanization, India has seen a marked uptick in waste generation, underscoring the urgent need for efficient and sustainable waste management. The government's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) has invigorated the sector, amplifying the demand for waste management solutions.
As reported by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India produces over 62 million tons (MT) of waste annually. Out of this, only 43 MT is collected; 12 MT is treated before disposal, while a staggering 31 MT ends up discarded in waste yards. A significant portion of the generated waste remains untreated and often unaccounted for. This inadequacy in waste collection, transport, treatment, and disposal has raised pressing environmental and public health concerns across the nation.
By 2025, urban waste generation in India is projected to reach 0.7 kg per person daily, marking an increase of four to six times compared to 1999 figures. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change highlights that India, with an average annual growth rate of 4%, currently generates 62 million tons of waste (both recyclable and non-recyclable) each year. The primary waste materials include solid waste, plastic waste, and E-waste.
Driven by evolving consumption patterns and swift economic growth, municipal solid waste generation is anticipated to soar to 165 million tonnes by 2030.
Under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, urban local bodies (ULBs) across India are mandated to remediate existing dumpsites by 2023 for cities with populations under 1 million, and by 2024 for larger cities, adhering to environmentally sustainable methods.
Daily, over 30,000 tonnes, or 21% of the total municipal solid waste, goes unprocessed in India, ultimately landing in landfills. A report indicates a rise in dumpsites with legacy waste across at least 16 states/UTs from 2023 to 2024. “While 17% of India's legacy waste has been addressed, plans are in motion for another 26%. However, the remaining 56% remains untouched.” Alarmingly, states and UTs like West Bengal, Mizoram, and Ladakh process less than half of their generated municipal solid waste.
In May 2024, the redressal rate for illegal plastic use reports via the CPCB's mobile app fell to 19%, down from 25% in March 2023.
Following India's July 2022 ban on single-use plastics, the Central Pollution Control Board introduced the SUP-CPCB mobile app, enabling citizens to report illegal plastic sales and usage. Yet, as time progressed, the central agency's response rate to these complaints dwindled to 19%. Despite the 2022 ban, challenges in enforcing and managing plastic waste remain pronounced.
In conclusion, while India has made significant strides in solid waste management, substantial challenges remain. The government's initiatives, such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the ban on single-use plastics, have laid a strong foundation. However, the effective implementation and enforcement of these measures are crucial.
Addressing the gaps in waste collection, treatment, and disposal, along with improving the redressal mechanisms for illegal activities, will be essential for achieving sustainable waste management and mitigating environmental and public health risks.
India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Trends
The Residential Segment dominates the market
India ranks as the second-most populous nation, with residential areas being the primary contributors to waste generation. The surge in urbanization has not only expanded residential housing but also escalated waste output. Urban residents generate an estimated 0.55-1 kg of waste daily, surpassing their rural counterparts.
Delhi and its National Capital Region (NCR) produce over 14,000 tonnes per day (TPD) of municipal solid waste (MSW). Out of this, only 10,729 TPD is processed, leaving just over 3,000 TPD untreated daily. Consequently, the region grapples with a legacy waste issue, amassing over 321 lakh metric tons (LMT) at various landfill sites, with only 150.12 LMT treated. Given the evolving consumption patterns and swift economic growth, projections indicate urban municipal solid waste generation could hit 165 million tonnes by 2030.
In Delhi, the combined daily waste generation across the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council, and Delhi Cantonment Board stands at 11,342 TPD, with a legacy waste of 280 LMT. Yet, only 8,073 TPD gets processed, leaving approximately 3,800 TPD of fresh waste at the Ghazipur and Bhalswa dumpsites.
As per the affidavit, the establishment of new facilities at five additional locations over the next four years aims to boost the waste processing capacity to 15,473 TPD. While there's a roadmap for the complete remediation of legacy waste, this initiative is projected to be fully functional by December 2027.
In Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad and Greater Noida, municipal solid waste generation is pegged at 1,950 TPD. Ghaziabad's processing capacity exceeds its waste production, but Noida faces a shortfall of 218 TPD. Ghaziabad's legacy waste stands at 2.69 LMT, with 1.46 LMT remediated, while Greater Noida's is at 3.69 MLT. Regarding construction and demolition (C&D) waste, Ghaziabad can handle the daily generation of 325 TPD, but Greater Noida lacks facilities for the 100-500 TPD produced daily, as highlighted in the affidavit.
In Rajasthan's Alwar, the facility designed to process 180 TPD of municipal waste is currently treating only 51 TPD. However, it's projected to be fully operational by September 2024.
The increasing waste generation in urban areas of India poses significant challenges for waste management systems. While efforts are underway to enhance processing capacities and remediate legacy waste, the gap between waste generation and treatment remains substantial. Addressing this issue requires sustained investment in infrastructure, effective policy implementation, and public awareness to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations.
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Food waste is dominating the market
The Indian food processing industry plays a pivotal role in the nation's economy, accounting for nearly 30% of the total food market. However, the sector grapples with challenges stemming from its expanding ecological footprint, a consequence of rapid population growth and heightened consumption. Alarmingly, reports reveal that 20-25% of all food produced in India goes to waste each year, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable and efficient practices.
According to the latest United Nations Food Waste Index Report, Indian households squander a staggering 78.2 million tonnes of food annually. This is particularly concerning given that India is home to the world's largest population of hungry individuals. The report, released by the UN Environment Programme in anticipation of the International Day of Zero Waste, highlights that each Indian wastes an average of 55 kg of food yearly. Notably, it emphasizes that rural regions waste less food compared to their urban counterparts.
The annual food waste from Indian households has the potential to nourish nearly 377 million individuals. Based on the Food Waste Index Report 2024's estimate of 55 kg per capita annual waste, India's total food waste reaches an astonishing 78.2 million tonnes. If this waste were curtailed, it could satisfy roughly 26.5% of the nation's annual staple food requirement, equating to 207.5 kg per person each year.
Food waste includes both edible and inedible components, such as vegetable peels, eggshells, leftover meals, discarded fruits, unusable baked goods, and bones. This challenge of food waste is relatively recent, emerging from shifts in India's traditional food consumption practices. Households, food services, and retail outlets are the primary culprits of food waste.
Food services span a range of entities, from restaurants and hotels to healthcare facilities and educational institutions. Retail outlets encompass grocery stores, supermarkets, farmers' markets, and wholesale distributors. While India has implemented policies for managing organic wet waste, emphasizing citizen participation and sustainable practices, there remains a notable absence of policies directly targeting the reduction of food waste.
Embracing Operational Excellence principles is crucial for the Indian food processing industry to champion sustainability and curtail waste. By leveraging lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and process optimization, the industry can significantly lessen its environmental impact while enhancing efficiency and profitability.
Achieving a zero-waste future hinges on collaboration between industry players and policymakers, with OPEX steering the way. Though the path to zero waste is fraught with challenges, it's a goal within reach with the right approach and strategic moves.
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India Municipal Solid Waste Management Industry Overview
The India municipal solid waste (MSW) management market is highly competitive and growing due to increased urbanization, stringent government regulations, and rising awareness about sustainable waste management practices. The market is characterized by the presence of both established companies and emerging players offering a range of services, including waste collection, segregation, recycling, and disposal. Some of the players include Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd, Antony Waste Handling Cell Ltd, Ganesha Ecosphere, Veolia Group and Eco Wise Waste Management Pvt Ltd
India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Leaders
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Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd
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Antony Waste Handling Cell Ltd
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Ganesha Ecosphere
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Veolia Group
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Eco Wise Waste Management Pvt Ltd
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market News
- October 2024: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is contemplating the introduction of a solid waste management (SWM) tax for its residents. This tax aims to finance the infrastructure, services, and operations essential for the environmentally responsible collection, transportation, processing, recycling, and disposal of waste. The BMC is considering levying this tax alongside the property tax bill. Notably, neighboring Navi Mumbai and Thane have already incorporated solid waste management fees into their property tax systems.
- July 2024: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India have inked a loan agreement worth USD 200 million (approximately INR 1,700 crore). The funds aim to enhance solid waste management and sanitation efforts in 100 cities spanning eight states. Drawing from ADB's extensive experience in urban infrastructure development, the program is set to integrate global best practices. Furthermore, it will leverage cutting-edge digital technologies and prioritize climate- and disaster-resilient strategies in municipal solid waste management, all in a bid to foster a cleaner, pollution-free environment.
India Municipal Solid Waste Management Industry Segmentation
Municipal solid waste management plays a pivotal role in urban planning and ensuring environmental sustainability. This process encompasses the collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of solid waste produced by households, businesses, and institutions within a municipality. As urbanization accelerates and populations swell, effectively managing solid waste emerges as a significant global challenge.
A comprehensive background analysis of the India Municipal Solid Waste Management, covering the current market trends, restraints, technological updates, and detailed information on various segments and the competitive landscape of the industry. The Impact of Geopolitics and Pandemic on the Market has also been incorporated and considered during the study.
The India municipal solid waste management market is segmented by waste type (paper and cardboard, e-waste, plastic waste, metal waste, glass waste, others), by source (residential, commercial, construction, others), by disposal methods (landfill, incineration, recycling, others). The report offers market size and forecasts for the India municipal solid waste management market in value (USD) for all the above segments.
| By Source | Residential |
| Commerical | |
| Costruction | |
| Others | |
| By Disposal Methods | Landfill |
| Incineration | |
| Recycling | |
| Others | |
| By Waste Type | Paper & Paperboard |
| Metal Waste | |
| Plastic Waste | |
| Glass Waste | |
| E-Waste | |
| Others |
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India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Research FAQs
How big is the India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market?
The India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size is expected to reach USD 7.85 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 5.72% to reach USD 10.37 billion by 2030.
What is the current India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size?
In 2025, the India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size is expected to reach USD 7.85 billion.
Who are the key players in India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market?
Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd, Antony Waste Handling Cell Ltd, Ganesha Ecosphere, Veolia Group and Eco Wise Waste Management Pvt Ltd are the major companies operating in the India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market.
What years does this India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size was estimated at USD 7.40 billion. The report covers the India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market historical market size for years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
India Municipal Solid Waste Management Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 India Municipal Solid Waste Management market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. India Municipal Solid Waste Management analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
