New Waste Rules 2026 Mandate Four-Way Segregation, Focus on Mountain Areas

The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 have introduced a comprehensive framework for scientific and environmentally sound waste management, with specific provisions aimed at addressing the challenges faced by hilly areas, islands and mountain tourist sites.

The rules mandate four-stream segregation of waste at source into wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste and special-care waste. They also define the responsibilities of Bulk Waste Generators, who are required to fulfil Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility to ensure that waste is properly collected, transported and processed.

To strengthen accountability, the rules provide for online tracking and monitoring of the entire waste management chain through a Centralised Online Portal. The system will cover key stages, including waste collection, transportation, processing and disposal.

The framework also outlines specific roles and responsibilities for State and Union Territory governments, urban and rural local bodies, and bulk waste generators to ensure effective implementation of the rules.

The government said States are primarily responsible for sanitation, while financial assistance for solid waste management is provided through the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 and Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin. Under the schemes, the Northeast and Himalayan states receive funding with a 90:10 Centre-State sharing pattern.

Among the allocations under SBM-U 2.0, Jammu and Kashmir received Rs 131.70 crore, followed by Assam with Rs 118.30 crore and Uttarakhand with Rs 89 crore. Under SBM-G in 2024-25, Assam received the highest central share of Rs 356.15 crore, followed by Jammu and Kashmir at Rs 245 crore.

The information was provided by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.