In India, the segregation of municipal waste at source is rare. Recycling is mostly with the informal sector. More than three-fourths of the municipal budget goes into collection and transportation, which leaves very little for processing/resource recovery and disposal. Where does waste-to-energy fit into all this? Ideally it fits in the chain after segregation (between wet waste and the rest), collection, recycling, and before getting to the landfill, technology is most appropriate in converting waste to energy depends on what is in the waste (that is biodegradable versus non-biodegradable component) and its calorific value. The biodegradable component of India municipal solid waste is a little over 50 per cent, and biomethanation offers a major solution for processing this.
Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
Which of the assumptions given above is/are correct?
The passage does not explicitly support either of the given assumptions. Regarding Assumption 1, the text notes that recycling is predominantly managed by the informal sector, indicating a role for non-governmental entities. It does not advocate for the exclusive involvement of government agencies in collection, processing, and segregation. Concerning Assumption 2, while the passage emphasizes the necessity of technological inputs for waste-to-energy and biomethanation, it does not state that these technologies are best handled by private sector enterprises. The passage focuses on the current state of waste management and potential technological solutions, without assigning specific roles or capabilities to particular sectors for their implementation.
Option (A) is incorrect because the passage does not assert that government agencies should exclusively manage all aspects of municipal waste. The mention of the informal sector's role in recycling contradicts this assumption.
Option (B) is incorrect as the passage, while highlighting the need for technological inputs in resource recovery and recycling, does not specify that private sector enterprises are the most suitable or best equipped to handle these technologies.
Option (C) is incorrect because, as explained, neither Assumption 1 nor Assumption 2 is explicitly supported by the information provided in the passage.