Indian Institute Of Management Lucknow
BSEM Research Proposal
Title: Hazardous waste management practices in India
Submitted to : Prof. Sushil Kumar
Submitted by: Group 11
PGP39363 Khushi Singh
ABM20025 Madhav Menon
ABM20002 Bidarshi Maji
PGP39285 Amisha Jaiswal
IEP24017 Mehdi BOUKECHICHE
IEP24022 Hugo CORRAND
1. Introduction
The Indian industrial market has been proliferating, which has increased the amount of hazardous
waste generated by industries like petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and e-waste. Such
improper handling, storage, and disposal of HW pose severe risks to environmental and health
concerns. The regulatory framework in the form of the Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling)
Rules of 1989 along with all amendments carried out is coming under some kind of criticism for
instances of poor compliance and lack of adoption of best practices in managing waste.
Corporate sustainability practices are, increasingly, becoming part and parcel of hazardous waste
management with the availability of regulatory measures. These industries should be proactive in waste
source reduction by adopting cleaner technologies and ensuring sustainable methods for proper disposal
aligned with the environmental and social responsibilities they face. The objective of this research work
is to ponder the positive input that can be provided by the introduction of corporate sustainability into
hazardous waste management, thereby reducing its adverse impacts on human health and the
environment.
2. Objectives of the study:
Policy and Corporate Sustainability Practice-Evaluation: The paper will try to assess if policies on
hazardous waste management in India are effective and evaluate the impact on waste management
across sectors of corporate sustainability practices, for instance, ESG
Identify Major Hazardous Waste Sources and Corporate Practices: We will study the waste
produced by industries in India's industry hubs and analyze the sustainability practices of key sectors
such as petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and e-waste regarding hazardous waste management.
Assess Environmental and Health Impacts: We will analyze the data regarding the degradation of the
environment and health risks caused by poor management of hazardous wastes
Propose HWM Sustainable strategies and corporate practices: We will suggest strategies for waste
minimization, recycling, and energy recovery that align with corporate sustainability frameworks and
principles of the circular economy.
3. Literature Review:
India has developed over the years in having good regulatory frameworks for the management of
hazardous waste, bringing into the practice safe handling, storage, and disposal practices that come with
the Environment Protection Act of 1986 and the Hazardous Waste Rules of 1989. However, the
enforcement is relatively weak, and most of the sectors are not ready to adopt sustainable waste
management activities. It has been estimated that 7.2 million tonnes of hazardous waste are annually
generated, and most of it remains untreated and disposed of less rationally and healthily in the
environment.
Corporate sustainability is therefore identified as a major input into the better management of hazardous
wastes. As a direct outcome of the increased uptake of ESG standards, many industries have begun to
take advantage of proper waste management as part of a broader commitment towards sustainability.
Large corporations have especially shifted towards fully adopting circular economy models, which
focus on waste reduction, resource recovery, and cleaner production processes. Relative gains are
realized in terms of environmental dimensions, economic prosperity within the long term, and
reputation.
4. Methodology
This study will be based on a mixed approach, making use of qualitative and quantitative methods as
follows:
Policy and Corporate Sustainability Analysis:
Detailed scrutiny of policies relating to hazardous waste management in India, such as the Environment
Protection Act of 1986, shall be done. We will also analyze corporate sustainability reports from the top
industries in the industry hubs of India to determine how companies handle hazardous waste
management within their sustainability framework
Data Collection via Secondary Data:
Ideally, we should interview industry professionals to collect the data. However, as that is not possible,
we will collect the data from government reports, industry documents, and corporate sustainability
disclosures and analyze them to assess the adoption of best practices for hazardous waste management
Quantitative Analysis:
The government and corporations' data will be used to measure hazardous waste mismanagement. This
can be measured in soil, groundwater, and air contamination as well as corporate initiatives that reduce
impacts. There will be an analysis of health data from communities near industrial sites to evaluate
health risks associated with hazardous waste disposal and how corporate measures for sustainability are
mitigating these risks
5. Expected Outcomes
• To provide an analysis of current hazardous waste management policies and corporate
sustainability practices in key industry hubs across India
• Recommendations for how industries can apply sustainable waste management strategies
within their overall ESG structures, touching on minimization strategies, recycling strategies,
and even the possible use of waste-to-energy solutions
• The environmental and health risk assessment of hazards quantification related to adverse
management of hazardous waste, along with corporate sustainability practice in risk mitigation
• Policy recommendations to improve regulatory compliance as well as foster corporate
accountability in achieving efficient practices of sustainable waste management
6. Conclusion:
Growing hazardous waste generation in India calls for immediate attention due to the ineffectual
management approach currently being used for hazard minimization. This paper will attempt to present
a comprehensive overview of the hazard waste management landscape in India and practical solutions
for the way forward in keeping with global circular economy principles and sustainable approaches to
waste management to reduce environmental hazards and public health risks.
7. References
• Babu, B.V., & Ramakrishna, V. (2003). Hazardous Waste Management in India. Birla Institute of
Technology and Science.
• Tata Energy Research Institute (2005). Hazardous Waste Management in India.
• Kumar, A., et al. (2023). Sustainable Hazardous Waste Management Strategies: A Step Towards a
Circular Economy. Environmental Science and Pollution Research.
