Why is it in the news?
→ MoEFCC notified SWM Rules, 2026 replacing 2016 rules.
→ Introduced stricter segregation, accountability and circular economy measures.
Category
Environment
Important Points
- Notified under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; effective from 1 April 2026.
- Mandates four-stream segregation: Wet, Dry, Sanitary, Special Care waste.
- Wet waste to be composted/bio-methanated; dry waste to MRFs.
- CPCB 2023–24: India generates ~1.85 lakh tonnes/day solid waste.
- Polluter Pays Principle with environmental compensation via CPCB/SPCBs.
- Bulk Waste Generators defined (≥20,000 sqm area or 40,000 L/day water or 100 kg/day waste).
- Introduces Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR).
- RDF usage in industries rose from 5% to 15% over six years.
- Landfills restricted to inert/non-recyclable waste; higher fees for unsegregated waste.
- Mandates biomining/bioremediation of legacy dumpsites.
- State-level committees chaired by Chief Secretaries to oversee implementation.