Cognizing waste: a comprehensive quantitative and characterization analysis of municipal solid waste in Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation, India

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a significant global concern with adverse environmental, socio-economic, and health effects. However, characterizing MSW in developing urban areas is limited. By 2030, global MSW is projected to reach 2.59 billion tons, with 90% being disposed of unsafely. This study aims to quantify and characterize MSW in the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) in India, which generates 800-1000 tons of MSW daily. MSW data were collected using a door-to-door survey approach and sorted according to the Solid Waste Management Rules (2016). The study found that the per capita waste generation (PCG) for CCMC is 0.310 +/- 0.453 kg/person/day (skewness (gamma) = 5.69), with the highest PCG observed in the East zone with 0.365 +/- 0.504 kg/person/day (gamma = 7.88). Additionally, the study estimated the PCG based on categories, the number of persons, and different income groups. The estimated overall MSW in CCMC is 909.85 +/- 1329.55 tons/day where 68.26 +/- 41.25% is biodegradable waste. The study provides policymakers and waste management authorities with valuable insights to develop effective and sustainable waste management strategies for CCMC and other similar urban areas.