Lucknow’s Transition to Scientific Urban Waste Management
Lucknow , the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is steadily emerging as a national model for sustainable municipal waste management. With a population nearing 40 lakh and around 7.5 lakh commercial establishments, the city faces mounting environmental pressures. In response, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation has adopted a science-driven, integrated waste management framework focused on resource recovery, environmental protection, and public health.
Third Waste Processing Plant Strengthens Capacity
A major milestone was achieved with the commissioning of the Shivari fresh waste processing plant, the city’s third such facility. With a capacity of 700 metric tonnes per day, the plant adds to two existing units, enabling Lucknow to scientifically process more than 2,100 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste daily. This has made Lucknow the first city in Uttar Pradesh to attain 100 per cent scientific processing of fresh waste , earning it the status of a “zero fresh waste dump” city.
Segregation, Recycling and Resource Recovery
Lucknow generates close to 2,000 metric tonnes of waste every day, managed through a public–private partnership with Bhumi Green Energy . Waste is segregated into organic (about 55%) and inorganic (45%) streams. Organic waste is processed into compost and biogas, while inorganic fractions are recycled or converted into Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), which is supplied to cement and paper industries. Door-to-door waste collection efficiency has crossed 96%, and source segregation levels now exceed 70%.
Tackling Legacy Waste and Reclaiming Land
The city has also made significant progress in clearing legacy waste. Of nearly 18.5 lakh metric tonnes accumulated over the years, about 12.86 lakh metric tonnes has been scientifically remediated. The recovered material—RDF, construction debris, bio-soil, and coarse aggregates—has been reused through recycling, co-processing, and landfilling. This effort has reclaimed more than 25 acres of land, now redeveloped into a modern waste management complex with dedicated processing infrastructure.
Imporatnt Facts for Exams
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Lucknow is the first city in Uttar Pradesh to achieve 100% scientific processing of municipal waste
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Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) is used for co-processing in cement and paper industries
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Source segregation is central to sustainable waste management
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Legacy waste remediation helps reclaim land and reduce pollution
Waste-to-Energy and Circular Economy Goals
Looking ahead, the LMC plans to set up a 15 MW Waste-to-Energy plant at Shivari. The facility is expected to convert 1,000–1,200 metric tonnes of RDF daily into electricity, cutting transport costs and reducing dependence on distant cement plants. By prioritising recycling, reuse, and energy recovery, Lucknow’s waste strategy reflects strong circular economy principles and offers a replicable model for fast-growing Indian cities.