Norwegian delegation discusses sustainable waste management practices with Gurugram MC officials

A delegation from Norway, led by Andreas Schei, Counsellor for Climate and Environment at the Embassy of Norway, met officials from the Gurugram Municipal Corporation (MCG) on Friday to review the city’s progress towards achieving ‘zero waste’ status. The initiative focuses on sustainable waste management practices by bulk waste generators.

India and Norway had earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on ocean cleanup and the blue economy. This partnership also supports India’s efforts to prevent marine pollution and eliminate single-use plastic.

As part of the MoU, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is implementing the “Mainstreaming Circular Economy in the Waste Management Sector in India” project. Gurugram has been designated a ‘mission city’, where CSE provides expertise, capacity building and research to guide the civic body in sustainable waste management practices.

During the meeting, Schei, along with CSE delegates Atin Biswas and Mau Sengupta, discussed these efforts with Additional Commissioner Balpreet Singh. Singh highlighted initiatives such as forming a dedicated monitoring cell for bulk waste generators (BWG) and creating a sanitation security force (SSF) to prevent unauthorised dumping of waste.

To date, 1,472 BWGs have registered on the MCG portal. In the past month, the SSF seized 25 vehicles, lodged 21 FIRs, issued 54 challans and imposed fines totalling Rs 7.5 lakh for unauthorised dumping. The civic body is also conducting awareness campaigns on solid waste management and the ban on single-use plastics.