The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, which mandate four-stream segregation of waste into wet, dry, sanitary, and special care categories, have come into effect. Notified on 27 January, these rules supersede the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The new rules require segregation of solid waste at the source into four streams – wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste, and special care waste. They also provide a clear definition of bulk waste generators and mandate that they fulfil extended bulk waste generator responsibility, ensuring that the waste generated is collected, transported, and processed in an environmentally sound manner.
In addition, the rules prescribe specific roles and responsibilities for urban and rural local bodies, state and union territory governments, as well as the ministries concerned.
The Central Pollution Control Board has constituted a Central Implementation Committee to ensure effective implementation of these rules.
The framework promotes a circular economy, with focus on at-source processing and digital tracking. It marks a shift from a ‘collect-and-dump’ approach to a model that emphasises sustainability and accountability. However, infrastructure gaps are likely to pose a significant challenge, as there is a substantial shortfall in waste management facilities. Even in urban areas of Arunachal Pradesh, waste disposal remains a major issue due to the lack of adequate systems.
Another critical area requiring urgent attention is biomedical waste management, as highly infectious waste often ends up in the open in the state.
While the rules are aimed at improving waste management, there are too many gaps for them to be a success.