No more littering as garbage bins mandatory in all vehicles

In a significant move to curb roadside littering and promote responsible waste disposal, the Himachal Pradesh Department of Environment, Science, Technology and Climate Change has issued a notification mandating the installation of garbage bins in all public and private transport vehicles across the state.

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As per notification number STE-F(9)-1/2018-LOOSE dated March 28, 2025, all taxi operators, public transport providers such as Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), and owners or drivers of other private commercial vehicles, including Volvo buses, trucks and Tempo travellers, are required to equip their vehicles with garbage bins for proper waste collection and disposal. The move aims to prevent the indiscriminate littering of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, particularly plastic, in line with the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1995.

Sirmaur Regional Tranport Officer (RTO) Sona Chauhan confirmed that strict directives had been issued to all stakeholders in the district, including the Regional Manager of the HRTC, Nahan, presidents of various transport unions—private bus operators, truck operators, auto-rickshaw and e-rickshaw drivers and taxi associations. The RTO said, “These instructions require immediate compliance with the garbage bin mandate.”

Chauhan said, “Non-adherence to the order will attract penalties under the HP Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act. A fine of Rs 1,500 will be levied for littering biodegradable or non-biodegradable materials, including single-use plastic and compostable plastic items used for food service and consumption. More significantly, failure to install a garbage bin in the specified transport vehicles will attract a penalty of Rs 10,000.”

Further tightening the enforcement mechanism, the Motor Vehicles Inspector, Sirmaur, has been directed not to clear or pass any vehicle that does not comply with the garbage bin installation requirement. This ensures that non-compliant vehicles cannot operate legally on state roads until they meet the stipulated criteria.

The notification will come into force within 30 days of its publication in the Rajpatra (e-Gazette) and will apply uniformly across all districts in Himachal Pradesh.

Officials believe that this regulation will play a crucial role in protecting the environment and preserving the scenic beauty of the state, especially in ecologically sensitive areas and along popular tourist routes. The state government has urged all vehicle owners and transport operators to cooperate fully with the implementation to achieve cleaner and greener roadways.