This Monsoon, India’s New Waste Rules Face Their First Real Test – Outlook Business

The consequences become especially visible during the monsoon. Rainwater passing through mixed waste generates leachate that can contaminate soil, groundwater and nearby water bodies. Saturated dumpsites become unstable, while lightweight plastics and other litter are washed into rivers, lakes and stormwater drains, worsening urban flooding. At the same time, wet conditions reduce the quality and value of recyclable materials, making recovery more difficult. The rains do not create India’s waste problem — they magnify the consequences of an already overstretched system.