Looking at the evergrowing and unmanageable municipal waste generated in cities, which has been estimated to reach 17,000-25,000 tonnes per day by 2021, the Indian government has called upon architects and structural engineers to develop zero waste and zero landfill in metro cities, including Delhi, with a population of over 18 million.

At a workshop of global architects and structural engineers, according to Urban Development Secretary, Sudhir Krishna, while population is growing at 3.5 percent per annum in Delhi, the per capita waste generated is increasing at 1.3 percent. He explained that while cleanliness is the most vital indicator of good urban management processes, poor solid waste management practices affect the health and amicability of metropolises in many ways. Moreover, engineers should work towards zero waste and zero landfills in Delhi and other metros in the country and ensure resource recovery and protect scarce natural resources by ending waste disposal through incinerators, dumping and landfills. Krishna also stressed that the plan should encompass waste reduction, composting, recycling and reuse, changes in consumption habits and industrial redesign.