New rules for solid waste management to come into effect from April 1; each stage to be monitored online
The rules prescribe an increase in the fuel substitution rate from current 5 % to 15 % over a six year period for industrial units, including cement plants and waste-to-energy plants for use of Refuse Derived Fuel
The urban and rural local bodies and ‘bulk generators’ ranging from housing societies, will have to follow stricter solid waste management rules that will come into effect from April 1.
At the heart of the new rules that will replace a decade old regulations in managing garbage is the introduction of a centralised digital portal, stringent auditing and strict incineration guidelines.
The rules operationalise the online tracking and monitoring of all stages of solid waste management through Centralised Online Portal including collection, transportation, processing and disposal. It mandates the registration of bulk waste generators (buildings with solid waste generation of 100 kg) in urban and rural local bodies with the centralised portal. Any engagement with unregistered entities is prohibited.
The Environment Ministry notified the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 in January. Moreover, the new rules now mandate four-stream segregation of solid waste at source into wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste and special care waste and prescribe clear definition of bulk waste generators who have a mandate to fulfil extended bulk waste generator responsibility, in order to ensure that the waste generated is collected, transported and processed in an environmentally sound manner.
The rules prescribe an increase in the fuel substitution rate from current 5 % to 15 % over a six year period for industrial units, including cement plants and waste-to-energy plants for use of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF).
Further, the solid waste processing and disposal facilities have been mandated for online submission of reports. Waste processing facilities have also been subjected to audit under the rules.
The rules also mandate development and implementation of a time bound action plan for remediation of legacy waste and further strengthening of restrictions on landfilling of solid waste. Special provisions for solid waste management in hilly areas and islands have also been included.
Provision for levy of environmental compensation based on the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle has been provided. The rules prescribe the constitution of Central and State-level Committees for their effective implementation.
The Central Pollution Control Board has constituted the Central Implementation Committee for effective implementation of the rules.
