4-way segregation, digital tracking, stricter penalties, and bulk waste accountability. Here’s what the new rules mean for you.
India generates 620 lakh tonnes of waste annually — 1.85 lakh tonnes every day. The 2016 rules focused on segregation and recycling, but enforcement remained weak. SWM 2026 brings stronger accountability.
Green (Wet Waste): Kitchen and biodegradable waste. Blue (Dry Waste): Plastic, paper, metal, glass. Red (Sanitary – NEW): Pads, tampons, condoms. Special-Care (NEW): Paints, bulbs, medicines.
Housing societies, malls, colleges, hotels, restaurants and institutions qualify if they have 20,000+ sq.m area, 40,000+ litres of water per day, or generate 100+ kg of waste daily. They must segregate at source.
A central online portal will track BWGs, ULBs, waste pickers, transporters and processors. Real-time monitoring aims to curb illegal dumping. Annual returns must be filed by June 30.
Environmental compensation will apply for violations, including false reporting, unregistered BWGs, mixed waste disposal and higher landfill fees for unsegregated waste.
ULBs must map all landfills by October 31, 2026. Only non-recyclable and non-usable waste will go to landfills. High-energy waste such as plastics, agricultural residue and kitchen waste will be diverted for fuel and industrial use.
But only if we segregate waste at home and work — every kilogram matters — use authorised collection and processing systems, reduce landfill dependency, and embrace the circular economy.