Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Management in a Tier-II Indian Smart City: A Case Study of Davanagere
D. Jagadeesh
Department of Studies in Environmental Science, Davangere University, Davanagere, Karnataka - 577007, India.
Santhebennur Jayappa Veeresh *
Department of Studies in Environmental Science and Food Technology, Davangere University, Davanagere, Karnataka - 577007, India.
N. D. Hitesh *
Department of Studies in Environmental Science, Davangere University, Davanagere, Karnataka - 577007, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Rapid urbanisation and changing consumption patterns have significantly increased municipal solid waste (MSW) generation, prompting municipalities to shift from traditional collection and disposal methods towards integrated resource recovery systems. Although biological treatment, material recovery, refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production, and digital governance are widely adopted across Indian municipalities, they are often evaluated separately, with limited understanding of their combined operation. This study examines the MSW management system of the Davanagere City Corporation (DCC), Karnataka, focusing on the integration of biological treatment, material recovery, RDF utilisation, and digital governance. Using field observations, municipal records, planning documents, and peer-reviewed literature, the case study assesses the system and compares it with those of similar Indian municipalities. The system includes source segregation; centralised biological treatment using a 200 TPD windrow composting facility supported by mechanical composting and a pilot biomethanation unit; decentralised recovery through six Dry Waste Collection Centres functioning as Material Recovery Facilities; RDF production for industrial co-processing; and digital governance using GPS fleet monitoring, RFID verification, digital weighbridges, CCTV, an Integrated Control Centre, and a mobile citizen platform. The evaluation indicates that the coordinated interaction among biological treatment, material recovery, RDF utilisation, and digital governance supports efficient municipal operations, as reflected in high collection efficiency (98%), processing efficiency (97%), and the sequential diversion of waste through dedicated recovery pathways. The study proposes an integrated binless-city framework for Tier-II and Tier-III MSW systems that demonstrates how resource recovery, operational efficiency, and landfill diversion can be enhanced. This framework offers practical guidance for municipalities seeking to improve sustainable waste management through incremental infrastructure development and operational integration.
Keywords: Municipal solid waste management, MSW, material recovery, refuse-derived fuel, digital governance, smart city