Rajkot Sets New Benchmark in Sustainable Dumpsite Remediation

Rajkot — In a pioneering move towards environmental sustainability, the city of Rajkot has transformed a decades-old landfill—once burdened with over 16 lakh tonnes of legacy waste—into a model for eco-friendly waste remediation.

A Legacy of Waste Meets Innovative Action

Located on the city’s outskirts, the landfill had accumulated massive quantities of mixed municipal and construction waste over several decades. Exposed to open burning and leachate seepage, it posed severe health and environmental hazards—polluting groundwater, emitting foul odors, and affecting nearby residential zones._Rajkot

Phased Cleanup, Modern Techniques

The cleanup has been executed in carefully planned phases:

1. Waste Segregation: Utilized mechanized sorting to separate organic, recyclable, and inert materials.
2. Organic Waste Processing: Treated through composting and anaerobic digestion, converting biodegradable content into usable manure or biogas.
3. Recycling & Reuse: Recyclables like plastic, paper, and metal were recovered, reducing landfill volume and promoting circularity.
4. Inert Fill & Earthworks: Treated inert waste and soils were safely reused in construction projects, enabling effective capping and land restoration.
5. Land Restoration: A multi-layer protective cap was laid, followed by topsoil addition and plantation—turning the site into a rehabilitated green patch.

Environmental & Community Benefits

• Groundwater Protection: Capping helps contain leachate and stops contaminants from leaching into water tables.
• Air Quality Improvement: Phasing out open waste burning and covering controls odor and harmful emissions.
• Reclamation of Land: The remediated site is now available for public recreation or possible green infrastructure development.
• Socio-economic Impact: The initiative also created jobs in waste processing, recycling, and site landscaping.

Scalable Model for Other Cities

Rajkot’s holistic and technology-driven approach is emerging as a replicable model for other Indian municipalities struggling with legacy waste dumpsites. The initiative reflects the government’s growing emphasis on sustainable urban development, circular resource use, and ecological restoration.

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