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More about waste handling and disposal
Anaerobic decay of biodegradable waste that occurs in landfill sites results in methane gas generation. Composting of municipal solid waste on the other hand is an attractive option for resource recovery and environmental improvement. Greenhouse gas emissions are mitigated through aerobic decomposition of the organic waste. Other benefits includes the recycling of resources, improved management of solid waste, recycling of humus and recycling plant nutrients back into soil to benefit both agriculture and horticulture. This type of project activity also reduces the land required for municipal waste disposal.
Project photos
Project information
Delhi’s Okhla facility was the World’s first municipal composting facility to be registered under the UNFCCC as a CDM project. The project creates approximately 15-20% compost out of the organic waste it processes. Around 70-80% of the organic was is suitable for this purpose. The project has partnered with agricultural fertilizer companies for market distribution. The compost improves soil organic carbon content thereby increasing soil productivity by roughly 20%. Increased soil yields has financial benefits for farmers. Compost also increases the water holding capacity of soil thereby reducing irrigation requirements, also making farming more cost efficient.
Recycling Humus, the organic matter back to soil is the single largest benefit of composting. Chemical fertilizers assist in balancing micro and macronutrients but do not replenish the humus. Maintaining fertility of the soil is critical to the agrarian economy of India and food safety, necessary to feed a billion people. One of the main hurdles for the effective implementation of such measures is the shortage of good quality compost at affordable price
The project supports the region’s objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supplying affordable compost supply for urban agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, vegetable production in and around Delhi and crop farming in the neighbouring states. It also supports to sustainable waste management in the local government area.
CO2 emissions reduction
An estimate of the project’s annual carbon emission reductions achieved.
| Baseline emissions | 36,352 MT CO2-e |
Project activity emissions Leakage | 9,199 MT CO2-e 0 MT CO2-e |
| Overall emissions reduction | 27,153 MT CO2-e |
Sustainable Development Goals
As a Paying.Green® member, your investment not only benefits the environment, but it also supports communities through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The semi-mechanised plant directly employs people in the local community. It also provides indirect employment through waste collection and transportation.
Improved soil yield has increased farming yields and returns for farmers in the local area
This project results in an estimated reduction in emissions of 27,153 MT CO2-e.
Compost improves soil organic carbon content and increases soil fertility and productivity by roughly 20%
Project location
The Okhla compost plant is located near the Sewage Treatment Plant of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and behind the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) in Okhla. The Okhla compost plant is spread over an area of 32,700 m2 (3.27 Ha \ 8.08 Acres) and is located opposite to the Jindal Waste to Energy plant.