Waste-to-energy plants are a disaster for the environment but India is building more

India is expanding its network of waste-to-energy (WTE) plants despite growing concerns about their environmental impact. In Sannoth, a village near Delhi, residents are protesting against the construction of a new 3,000 tonnes-per-day, 30-megawatt WTE plant, which has begun despite legal challenges and community opposition. The project, located near the Munak canal, a key source of drinking water for Delhi, has drawn criticism for its proximity to residential areas and potential contamination risks. Residents, including retired municipal worker Rajpal Saini, describe living conditions worsened by the plant’s emissions, with some claiming that the stench has led to serious health issues, including paralysis among family members. Construction of the new plant started in May, even though a case had already been filed with the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Protests by local residents have continued since December 2024, highlighting deepening tensions between urban development projects and public health. The plant will be the fifth WTE facility in Delhi, a city that generates nearly 12,000 tonnes of waste per day. Despite these figures, WTE plants in India have struggled with functionality, with half of the existing 30 facilities deemed non-operational due to inadequate waste quality and economic feasibility. According to a 2025 policy review, WTEs have managed less than 6% of the country’s waste and contribute just 0.1% to the national energy supply. Despite these shortcomings, the Indian government has taken steps to promote WTE technology. In 2025, it exempted WTE plants from prior environmental clearances and reclassified them from the red category, which denotes high pollution risk, to the blue category, reserved for facilities critical to pollution mitigation. This shift reflects broader policy support for WTE, even as global trends suggest caution. In Europe, where WTE initially gained traction as a landfill alternative, recent studies have raised alarms about the technology’s greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, the European Union has scaled back financial backing for WTE projects, while Germany, which hosts the largest WTE infrastructure on the continent, has introduced a carbon dioxide tax on the sector. International firms, particularly from Europe and Japan, continue to invest in WTE projects in the Global South, citing favorable policies, available land, and incentives such as carbon credits. These investments come amid rising demand for renewable energy solutions, yet critics argue that the technology often fails to address underlying waste management challenges. In India, where waste is largely unsorted and highly moist, the low calorific value of local waste makes it unsuitable for efficient energy conversion. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, require that only non-recyclable waste meeting specific calorific standards be used for energy generation. This process involves converting waste into refuse-derived fuel (RDF) pellets and fluff, a step that is frequently bypassed in practice. The push for WTE plants has sparked debates about sustainability versus immediate energy needs. While proponents highlight the potential for waste reduction and energy production, opponents emphasize the health risks posed to nearby communities. In Sannoth, residents argue that the benefits of WTE are outweighed by the negative effects on air quality and public health. Their concerns reflect a wider pattern of resistance to large-scale infrastructure projects in densely populated regions, where environmental justice and community rights remain central issues. As the debate continues, the future of WTE in India remains uncertain. With 16 additional plants currently under construction and 33 more planned, the government faces mounting pressure to balance growth ambitions with ecological responsibility. Meanwhile, the global conversation around WTE is evolving, with increasing scrutiny of its long-term viability and ethical implications. For now, the story of Sannoth serves as a microcosm of the complex trade-offs shaping India’s approach to waste management and sustainable energy.