SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT THROUGH PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: A COST RECOVERY PERSPECTIVE IN INDIA

Sustainable waste management has emerged as a critical challenge in India due to rapid urbanization, population growth, and increasing consumption patterns. Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) have gained prominence as an effective institutional mechanism to improve service delivery, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability in municipal solid waste management. This study examines the role of PPP models in achieving sustainable waste management with a specific focus on cost recovery mechanisms in the Indian context. It explores how user charges, tipping fees, government subsidies, and innovative financing approaches contribute to recovering operational and capital costs. The paper also analyzes key challenges such as inadequate pricing strategies, low willingness to pay, regulatory constraints, and inefficiencies in contract management. Using secondary data and case-based insights, the study highlights that well-structured PPP frameworks can enhance cost recovery while ensuring environmental and social sustainability. The findings suggest that policy reforms, transparent tariff structures, stakeholder participation, and improved governance are essential to strengthen financial viability. The study concludes that PPP-based waste management systems, supported by efficient cost recovery mechanisms, can significantly contribute to sustainable urban development in India. Keywords: - Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), Sustainable Waste Management, Cost Recovery, Municipal Solid Waste, Financial Sustainability, Urban Governance