Plastic waste is the most visible and damaging component of this crisis of waste management Uttarakhand is faced with in general and Dehradun in particular, for the reasons that in today’s world you can have a less plastic world but not a plastic-less world. The ban on thin film and SUP through mere legislation is neither feasible nor practically applicable unless it is supported by 3Ps, i.e., Permanent executive–Political executive–People working in tandem to activate ‘4Rs’, i.e., Refuse–Reduce–Reuse–Recycle–+Recreate.
With monthly waste estimated around 15,000–16,500 metric tonnes (based on 500–550 TPD) as per MC record, with a dubious distinction, Dehradun is noted as the top contributor to plastic waste in the state, reports highlighting a high generation rate, including an estimate of 327.9 tonnes of plastic waste per day, majority of it being SUP, which is almost non-biodegradable. Adding insult to injury is a sharp decline in sanitation performance that reflects systemic gaps in waste management. In Swachh Survekshan 2023, Dehradun ranked 68th nationally (score ~69%). * In 2024–25, despite a higher absolute score, performance fell to ~61% and rank 62nd among a smaller pool, indicating relative decline. * Within Uttarakhand, it slipped to 13th position, exposing intra-state competition failure. (*Gharwal Post) More worrying are core waste indicators: Door-to-door collection dropped from ~96.5% to 48%. Waste processing fell from ~78.5% to 27% (T OI).
These indicators are directly linked to plastic waste handling, since plastic requires efficient segregation and processing systems. Failure of source segregation—core to plastic waste managemen which experts repeatedly identifying as the biggest problem. Mixed waste prevents recycling of plastics, also reduces value recovery and increases landfill burden. Leads to burning or dumping of plastics.
A 2015 expert consultation in Dehradun highlighted: Weak segregation at source; poor enforcement of single-use plastic bans; lack of collection centres and treatment facilities. Without segregation, plastic waste becomes “non-recoverable waste”, choking landfills and drains.
Mounting legacy waste and landfill stress
Large dumps like Sheeshambara and Danda Lakhond hold ~2 lakh tonnes each of legacy waste. Plastic forms a major portion of such legacy waste due to its non-biodegradable nature. In a valley city like Dehradun, landfill overflow leads to leachate contaminating groundwater, methane emissions, and increased flood risk due to clogged drainage.
Tourism, urbanisation and plastic surge: Dehradun’s role as a gateway to hill tourism amplifies plastic waste. High inflow of packaged goods (bottles, wrappers, MLP) during Char Dham and Kanwar yatra causes seasonal spikes in waste generation, aided by weak enforcement in peri-urban and tourist corridors. ULBs of towns en route shrines are neither financially nor technically trained and capacitated to deal with the huge volumes of plastic waste that ultimately find place in the holy Ganga and its tributaries.
Across Uttarakhand, poor waste systems have already led to overflowing garbage and decline in segregation rates (in some towns as low as 2%) (The Times of India). State-wide systemic failure signals deeper risk, with 87 out of 88 Urban Local Bodies scoring zero in Garbage Free City parameters according to sdcuk.in. 80% of smaller ULBs fall in the “dirtiest” category.
This indicates that Dehradun’s problem is not isolated—it is structural and replicable, making reform urgent.
Plastic waste has emerged as the defining challenge in urban sanitation, particularly for a growing hill city like Dehradun. Unlike organic waste, plastic persists for hundreds of years, clogs drainage systems leading to urban flooding, and infiltrates food chains through animals and microplastics. Its non-biodegradable nature means it cannot simply be composted, but instead demands systematic segregation, collection, and recycling infrastructure. This makes plastic waste management a decisive factor in a city’s performance in Swachh Survekshan, where citizen feedback and scientific waste processing carry significant weight.
The recent decline in Dehradun’s rankings reflects not just administrative gaps but a systemic failure to manage plastic across its lifecycle—from generation to final processing. Addressing this requires a shift from fragmented efforts to an integrated, data-driven approach. Mandatory three-way segregation at source—wet, dry, and domestic hazardous—must be enforced through a mix of penalties and incentives, supported by technology such as QR-coded bins and real-time monitoring. Cities that have achieved over 90% segregation compliance demonstrate that behavioural enforcement is as critical as infrastructure.
Equally important is the creation of decentralised material recovery facilities at the ward level to sort and channel plastic into value streams, while formally integrating informal waste pickers into the system. Strict enforcement of the single-use plastic ban—especially targeting high-leakage items like carry bags and multilayered packaging—must replace the current policy inertia. Simultaneously, robust implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility can shift the burden of plastic recovery onto manufacturers through digital tracking and credit systems.
Technology can act as a force multiplier: GPS-enabled waste collection, AI-based audits, and transparent dashboards can improve accountability. Legacy waste remediation, particularly at sites like Sheeshambara, should be accelerated to recover recyclable plastic and convert non-recyclable waste into refuse-derived fuel or inputs for road construction. Indeed, the use of plastic waste in road building—mandated by the Government of India—offers a practical solution, improving durability while reducing costs, alongside innovations such as pyrolysis, pavement blocks, and PET recycling systems.
However, no reform will succeed without sustained citizen participation. Behavioural change campaigns, school-level awareness, and incentives for zero-waste households are essential, especially since citizen feedback directly influences Swachh Survekshan scores. Tourism-linked interventions—such as deposit-refund systems for plastic bottles, mandatory waste take-back by hotels, and plastic-free eco-sensitive zones—are equally crucial for a city whose economy depends on its natural appeal.
If current trends persist, Dehradun risks expanding landfills, degraded water bodies, and declining liveability. Yet, with focused reforms in segregation, decentralised processing, enforcement, and citizen engagement, the city has the potential to reverse its trajectory and emerge as a model for sustainable waste management in hill urban ecosystems.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
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