Sustainable Solid Waste Management Strategies for Greater Chennai Corporation

Aliya A1

Prof.Thasneem Kahar 2

M24MUP003, Sem IV, Department of Urban Planning,

Abstract – This paper investigates sustainable solid waste management (SWM) strategies for the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), one of India's largest urban local bodies generating approximately 6,300 tonnes per day (TPD) of municipal solid waste. The study analyses existing waste generation patterns, composition, and management infrastructure; evaluates the environmental impacts of major dumping sites at Perungudi and Kodungaiyur; and identifies institutional, technical, and planning gaps. Using primary field surveys, stakeholder consultations, secondary data analysis, and comparative case studies from Indore (India), Japan, Sweden, and San Francisco (USA), the research develops integrated and sustainable SWM strategies. Key findings reveal a critical infrastructure deficit—current processing capacity covers only 19% of generated waste—while source segregation compliance remains extremely low. The study proposes decentralized ward-level processing systems, mandatory source segregation, smart waste technologies (IoT sensors, AI-based recycling robots, pneumatic collection), community-based recycling hubs, and circular economy frameworks. The proposed Circular Resource Innovation District (CRID) at Perungudi and Decentralised Waste Commons (DWC) provide planning-based models for transitioning Chennai from a linear, dumping-dependent system to a resource-recovery-oriented urban metabolism.Key Words: Solid waste management, Greater Chennai Corporation, source segregation, circular economy, decentralized processing, smart waste technologies, Perungudi, Kodungaiyur, urban planning