Municipal solid waste (MSW) refers to materials discarded in urban areas for which municipalities are usually held responsible for collection, transport and final disposal. MSW includes household refuse, institutional waste, street sweeping etc. Estimates suggest that in Third World nations, only 50 per cent of the total MSW collected is scientifically disposed. In India, the per capita generation of MSW in metropolitan cities is estimated at 0.5 kg per day. It is much lower (0.2-0.4 kg per capita per day) in non-metro urban centres. Keeping the urban population increase and organised and improved collection of municipal solid waste it is likely to touch 60 million tonnes by 2015.
During the decade ending 2001, while India's total population grew by 23 per cent, urban population grew by 32 per cent. As of 2001, nearly 28 per cent of India's population lived in urban areas compared with around 18 per cent in the 1960s. By 2020, urbanisation is projected at 32 per cent.
Due to rapid and widespread development, not only state capitals but even many cities are already facing the problem of dumping the huge quantum of MSW generated daily. All existing dumpsites have supersaturated and hence scientific disposal has become vital. The MoEF guidelines on MSW, issued in 2000, have become mandatory and this explains the current thrust given to this sector. Rapid urbanisation in India warrants the need for efficient management of municipal solid waste, and MSW-based power plants are a viable solution.
India has yet to record significant achievement in this regard. As of December 2006, the total waste-based installed power capacity stood at 46 mw, which mainly (but not entirely) included MSW-based power capacity. This capacity represents only 0.5 per cent of the country's total capacity from new and renewable energy sources.

State support
Since MSW projects are implemented in the PPP (public-private partnership) mode, support from the government becomes vital. For instance, land that is allocated on lease must be allowed for mortgage to financial institutions, or at least, land should be sold at concessional rates, as in the case of computer software industry. Without land mortgage, raising funds is not possible. The power purchase agreement should be as per the guidelines of the Union ministry of new and renewable energy. If state electricity boards are not interested in purchasing power, third-party sale should be encouraged. As of now, best guidelines to this effect exist in the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra, through their respective state electricity regulatory commissions.
With a view to expediting MSW projects, state governments should be proactive on two primary counts - signing of PPA and allotment of land. Given land of lease with mortgage facility or selling land (at concessional rates) on 99-year lease would be a welcome step. Subsidies are also critical for MSW projects.
In some European countries, Japan and USA, government support comes from a "tipping fee" or "gate fee". These governments pay $60 to $120 to the plant operator for every tonne of MSW consumed. This assures the success of the plant. In India, this model did not find favour; hence support is being extended by giving better (higher) tariff for electricity produced. The government should seriously view disposal of MSW as a primary objective. Government agencies should adhere to MSW disposal as per MSW rules of 2000.

Cost structure
MSW power projects are quite cost effective. Such power projects have a slightly higher capital cost due to the MSW processing plant. However, better tariffs could compensate for this additional cost. Operational costs could be a little higher than the biomass-based counterparts. However, contrary to popular belief, the capital cost of a MSW power project is not twice that of a biomass-based power plant.

Summary
Various technologies for MSW disposal have been tested in India and abroad - composting, land-filling, anaerobic digestion, etc. Finally, the best method for instant reduction of MSW was found to be power generation through incineration (burning). Over the past decade, tremendous awareness has come about on this science in India. However, there is a long road ahead.
With the backdrop of frequent hike in price of fossil fuel and our strong dependence on it in the future our national economy is bound to suffer due to cost escalation on the one hand and huge import cost on the other. Dependence on fossil fuel with inherent price volatility under a finite global reserve is a major concern coupled with large quantities of green house gas emission which constitutes environmental hazards. India needs to develop alternate fuel for power generation with the above constraints. Our search for alternate fuel would ensure sustainable development on the one hand and energy security on the other.
(The author may be contacted at cmd@selco.co.in)