Publications

Abstract : India is a developing country with more than seventy two percent of the population living in villages. With a population of over 1.32 billion, waste management in India, is a critical challenge, especially in the rural villages of the country. This paper presents a waste predicament case-study of an Indian village Morasia in Bhojpur district of Bihar. Our study aims to quantitatively assess the amount of waste generated, to examine the methods adopted to dispose it and to understand the effects of the improper waste disposal methods practised by the residents of Morasia. To devise a solution based on human centered design, the team lived among the villagers, for a week and data collection was done through tools such as interviews, observational methodologies like AEIOU and 5 Senses framework, resource mapping and brainstorming along with the villagers. The collected data revealed that the wastes generated within the village, the majority of which, being plastic, paper and ash, are either dumped in open pits, along with other non-biodegradable and biodegradable wastes such as cattle wastes and food wastes, or burnt within the village. It was also evident that the village lacked proper drainage systems, as the present ones contained spewing stagnant water, due to blockage. The drainage was observed to be leading to an open pit, near to the village, which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and frogs, this is assumed to be the reason why people of the village suffer from diseases like Malaria. We aim to introduce technological and eco-friendly models, that would be effective in drastically decreasing the waste accumulation through conversion of waste to resources, recycling, treatment and thus expose the villagers to a cleaner and healthier lifestyle.