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In India, DSWM has become an important tactic for tackling the problems of cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and attaining cost-effectiveness for local governments. The substantial economic and environmental advantages of decentralized SWM techniques in a range of rural and urban settings are highlighted in this review. Because of the efficient conversion of organic waste into compost and biogas, the mitigation of methane from landfills, the reduction of CO2 from transportation, and the shift to decentralized systems, GHG emissions have been significantly decreased. For instance, the ITC Green Temple Initiative in Tamil Nadu reports an average avoidance of -691.47 kg CO2 equivalent per metric tons of waste, whereas efficient composting in Guntur results in a GHG emission avoidance of 27.532 kg CO2 equivalent per home. By eliminating the need for long-distance waste delivery and using electric cars and hand-drawn carts, like in Saharanpur and Guntur, decentralized systems also reduce transportation emissions. These systems' cutting-edge waste processing technologies improve waste's ability to be converted into useful resources. Decentralized SWM is economically advantageous due to its lower infrastructure expenditures, lower operating costs, and increased resource recovery revenue generation. For example, Saharanpur's decentralized strategy reduced waste management expenses to INR 28.63 crores from INR 47.06 crores in Moradabad. Reviewing a variety of places, such as Saharanpur, Haridwar, Kapurthala, Tribeni, Guntur, and Indore, indicates best practices and efficient tactics for decentralized SWM. These results highlight the significance of promoting decentralized waste management via infrastructure development, community involvement, capacity building, and tailored incentives. To guarantee the longevity and efficacy of these systems, ongoing observation and assessment are necessary. All things considered, DSWM offers a revolutionary approach to waste management, bringing significant economic and environmental advantages and opening the door to a cleaner, greener future.
KEYWORDS: Municipal solid waste management, GHG avoidance, Cost analysis, CSR, circular economy.
