New Delhi, Jan 29: The Centre has notified new Solid Waste Management Rules, making four-stream segregation of waste at the source mandatory and clearly defining responsibilities for bulk waste generators. The rules will come into effect from April 1.
The four categories for segregation are wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste, and special care waste.
Bulk waste generators include entities with a floor area of 20,000 square metres or more, water consumption of 40,000 litres per day or more, or solid waste generation of 100 kilograms per day or more. This category covers government departments, local bodies, public sector undertakings, institutions, commercial establishments, and residential societies.
These entities are required to ensure that the waste they generate is collected, transported, and processed in an environmentally sound manner. The provision is expected to reduce pressure on urban local bodies and promote decentralized waste management.
The rules also allow local bodies to levy user fees on waste generators. Environmental compensation may be imposed for non-compliance, including operating without registration, false reporting, submission of forged documents, or improper waste management, based on the “Polluter Pays” principle.
The Central Pollution Control Board will issue relevant guidelines, while State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees will enforce penalties and compensation. The rules incorporate principles of the circular economy and Extended Producer Responsibility to encourage efficient waste management.
