About
The Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, came into force on 1 April 2026. The Rules aim to ensure scientific management of solid waste through source segregation, recycling, resource recovery, and environmentally sound disposal while promoting a circular economy.
Objectives
– Ensure segregation of waste at source.
– Promote waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
– Improve collection, transportation, processing, and scientific disposal of waste.
– Protect public health and the environment.
– Strengthen compliance by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Rural Local Bodies (RLBs), institutions, and citizens.
Four-Stream Waste Segregation
Waste should be segregated into:
– Wet Waste – Food and biodegradable waste.
– Dry Waste – Paper, plastic, glass, metal, etc.
– Sanitary Waste – Diapers, sanitary napkins, and similar waste.
– Special Care Waste – Batteries, medicines, bulbs, paint containers, e-waste, and other hazardous household waste.