The Practices and Challenges of Solid Waste Management in Ara City, Bihar

IJEP 46(8): 764-772 : Vol. 46 Issue 8 (August 2026)

Full Text

Sadaf* and Rohit Prakash

Veer Kunwar Singh University, P.G. Department of Geography, Ara – 802 301, Bihar, India

Abstract

Managing solid waste effectively is a difficult task for many developing nations, including India. It is a complicated problem in cities, as rising population densities, rapid economic expansion and improved community standards of living all contribute to an accelerated pace of municipal solid waste generation. The city of Ara faces challenges in proper solid waste management due to a lack of segregation, limited collection services, open dustbins, inadequate container distribution, public ignorance, weak institutional aspects and incorrect application of regulations, resulting in dumping on various surfaces. The purpose of the study is to examine the solid waste management practices in the city of Ara. The analysis used secondary data from the ward level to conduct a comprehensive study on solid waste management at both the city and ward levels. Urban residents often dispose of trash in open spaces, leading to open dumping and a lack of waste segregation. Only two tonnes are processed for compost and 60% of solid garbage is not collected by municipal trucks. Insufficient waste management practices, lack of technical know-how, community engagement and disinterest in composting contribute to uncollected waste in sewers, water bodies and dumping sites. Encouraging individuals to adopt 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) practices and adhering to current rules and regulations are essential for effective municipal solid waste (MSW) management.

Keywords

Solid waste, Standard of living, Segregation, Open dumping, Waste generation

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