New Solid Waste Management Rules notified, larger onus on bulk generators, Pg2

Key Highlights:

• The Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, were notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and will be effective from April 1.
• The new rules replace the decade-old waste management regime, focusing on collection, segregation, and management of garbage.
• The rules mandate four streams of waste segregation at source: wet, dry, sanitary, and special care waste.
• Bulk generators, producing over 100 kg/day waste, must process waste at source to reduce the burden on local bodies.

Detailed Insights:

• The SWM Rules, 2026 broaden responsibilities and promote a circular economy by linking waste reuse as fuel in boilers and cement kilns.
• Bulk generators include entities with a floor area of 20,000 square meters or more, or water consumption exceeding 40,000 liters per day.
• These rules enforce penalties for non-compliance and place a stringent onus on bulk waste generators to process solid waste at the source.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is placed on bulk generators, holding them accountable through centralized monitoring.
• According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data for 2023-24, India generates 1.85 lakh tonnes/day of solid waste.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Solid Waste Management: The collection, transportation, processing, recycling, and disposal of solid waste materials.
• Bulk Waste Generators: Entities that generate a significant amount of waste, as defined by specific criteria.
• Circular Economy: An economic system aimed at minimizing waste and making the most of resources.