Assessment of Municipal Solid Waste Management in Davanagere City, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Rapid urbanisation and population growth have intensified municipal solid waste (MSW) generation, posing significant environmental and operational challenges for urban local bodies in India. This study assessed the generation, characterisation, and management of MSW in Davanagere City, Karnataka, over a two-year period (2024–2025). Daily data on waste generation, treatment, and disposal were collected from the Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) facility at Avaragolla and analysed on monthly and annual bases to evaluate waste-generation trends, source-wise generation, physical composition, collection, processing, and disposal practices, thereby assessing the performance of the existing MSW management system. The assessment estimated average MSW generation of 178 t day⁻¹ in 2024 and 184 t day⁻¹ in 2025, corresponding to annual waste generation of 65,148 t year⁻¹ and 67,160 t year⁻¹, respectively. Residential areas contributed 66.11% of the total waste generated, followed by street sweeping and drain silt (11.30%) and commercial establishments (10.38%). Physical characterisation indicated that biodegradable organic waste accounted for 54% of the municipal waste stream, followed by dry recyclable waste (35%), inert waste (10%), and domestic hazardous waste (1%). The MSW management system achieved collection efficiencies of 94% in 2024 and 98% in 2025, while processing efficiencies improved from 94% to 97%, supported by six decentralised operational Dry Waste Collection Centres (DWCCs) and windrow composting at the Avaragolla ISWM facility. The findings indicate that the Davanagere City Corporation has established an effective binless municipal solid waste management system with high collection and processing efficiencies. Nevertheless, continued improvements in source segregation, compost quality, recyclable-material recovery, and public awareness of sustainable consumption and waste segregation are essential to minimise waste generation and the quantity of waste requiring final disposal, while maximising resource recovery. The study provides a practical framework for supporting sustainable municipal solid waste management planning in medium-sized Indian cities.