Centre proposes new rules to manage solid waste across the country with effect from October 1 next year

NEW DELHI: In a move that will have far-reaching implications on managing solid waste across the country, the Centre has proposed new rules enlisting ways and means on how to manage such waste in both urban and rural areas. It also has provisions for empowering ‘safai karamcharis’ (cleanliness workers) in cities to levy fines/penalties on unsegregated waste and to refuse waste collection. The rules will come into force from October 1 next year.
Apart from municipal bodies, the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2024, cover waste generation and management activities of hotels, malls, residential complexes, wholesale markets, govt institutions, PSUs, industrial units, schools, colleges, and universities among other bulk waste generators.
The rules also make provisions for environmental compensation (penalty) based on the polluter pays principle on persons/entities who do not comply with their mandated tasks.
“All hotels, restaurants, resident welfare, market associations, and gated communities and institutions with more than 5,000 sqm area shall, within one year from the date of notification of these rules and in partnership with the local body, ensure segregation of waste at source by the generators as prescribed in these rules, facilitate collection of segregated waste in separate streams, hand over recyclable material to either the authorised waste pickers or the authorised recyclers,” said the draft rules, issued by the environment ministry on December 9.
It said, “The bio-degradable waste shall be processed, treated, and disposed of through composting or bio-methanation within the premises as far as possible. The residual waste shall be given to the waste collectors or agency as directed by the local body.”
The rules, published on Saturday, enlist the duties of all waste generators in detail and also formulate guidelines on how to use it in economic activities, including the ‘waste to energy’ process and product manufacturing through circularity.
Besides elaborating on the responsibilities of local bodies and central/state pollution watchdogs on managing municipal and industrial waste, the proposed rules also have detailed guidelines on managing agri-residue such as paddy stubble and other farm waste in rural areas. It will be the responsibility of gram panchayats to ensure that “there are no instances of burning of agriculture & horticulture waste and levy heavy penalty on persons involved in open burning of agriculture & horticulture waste.”
Under the rules, the gram panchayats will “facilitate the establishment of collection and storage” of agri-residue in its jurisdiction for its utilization. The gram panchayats will also have to file “annual returns” by June 30 every year regarding the agri-residue generated, agri-residue utilized in-situ, and agri-residue transported for ex-situ utilization within its jurisdiction on the centralised online portal.
These provisions will be quite helpful in managing paddy stubble, particularly in Delhi-NCR, where the episodes of biomass burning substantially contribute to air pollution during every winter season.
The draft rules seek to address the adverse effects of unmanaged solid waste; implement principles of circular economy; further strengthen monitoring, reporting, and enforcement of rules covering both urban and rural areas; promote bio-economy and improve the quality of the environment across the country.
The ministry has, meanwhile, invited stakeholders and experts to share their objections, if any, on the draft rules within the next sixty days. Their views/suggestions will be considered before issuing the final rules in the gazette.