Foreword
Solid wastes are dumped in a haphazard manner in various parts of the towns therby causing both environmental problems and health hazards. So far no in-depth study on solid waste generation, collection and disposal was carried out. For rational planning a strategy to manage solid waste in the country, it is essential to gether the knowledge on nature and extent of solid waste generated, collected and disposed. Realising this fact, Central Pollution Control Board has initiated study of solid waste generation, collection and disposal being practiced in our urban areas. The first report in the series was on metropolitan cities and second one was on class I cities. This is the third one in the series. The study was assigned to Environment Protection Training Rearch I nstitute, Hyderabad EPTRI) .The study was carried out through questionnaire surveys and personal visits. The results obtained indicated that from 345 class II towns about 3401 tonnes of solid wastes generated, a major portion of which is not collected. The collection is mostly manual. It is

observed that on an average about 0.152 kg/capita of solid waste is generated from class II towns. The most common method of solid waste disposal is land filling. The experiences of developed countries are highlighted in the report. Some common method of solid wastes disposal along with their advantages and disadvantages are presented in the report.

The efforts put by EPTRI in carrying out the study is appreciated. I hope that the information included in the report would be useful to all the authorities, organisations, academic institutions, researchers and others involved in planning the solid waste management in India.