Environmental impact assessment and municipal solid waste generation and management: Strategy for sustainable development in Firozabad City (India)

Environmental impact assessment is an important tool which can be used in re-orienting development towards more sustainable forms. One aspect of development planning is stride towards urbanization, industrialization and modernization as well as other aspect is posing serious threat to the balanced environment in the form of municipal solid waste management. The objective of the study is to quantify and analyze the solid waste generation and existing situation of waste management in Firozabad city (India). The study area has the monopoly of production of glass and bangles, producing more than 2 lakh tonnes of glass per year accounting for 70 per cent of the total glass production in India. Quantification and characterization of the waste have been done by quartering method. The analysis reveals that the city generates 259.28 MT/day of solid waste (0.371 kg/capita/day). The present paper also examines the occurrence of waste associated diseases in the households of Firozabad city through the correlative index between management and handling of waste method in sampled houses and different diseases reported by the people. To analyze the impact assessment in spatial context standard score additive model has been applied to develop a composite score for each sets of indicator in order to arrive at logical rational conclusion and recommendation for sustainability and healthy living in clean environment. The paper is concluded with few remedial strategies for better management of the municipal waste so as to achieve sustainable development.