The revised rules are aligned with the principles of circular economy and extended producer responsibility, aiming to minimise landfill dependency while strengthening accountability across waste generators, local bodies, and processing facilities.
Four-Stream Segregation Made Mandatory
One of the most significant changes under the SWM Rules, 2026 is the mandatory segregation of solid waste into four streams at the source. Waste must now be separated into wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste, and special care waste.
Wet waste such as kitchen refuse, vegetable peels, meat, and flowers must be composted or treated through bio-methanation at nearby facilities. Dry waste, including plastics, paper, metal, glass, and rubber, will be routed to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) for sorting and recycling.
Sanitary waste like diapers and sanitary napkins must be securely wrapped and stored separately, while special care waste such as medicines, bulbs, thermometers, and paint containers will be handled only by authorised agencies.
Clear Responsibility for Bulk Waste Generators
The rules clearly define Bulk Waste Generators as entities with a built-up area of 20,000 square metres or more, water consumption exceeding 40,000 litres per day, or waste generation above 100 kg per day. This category includes government offices, PSUs, institutions, commercial establishments, and large residential societies.
Such generators are now legally responsible for ensuring environmentally sound collection, transport, and processing of their waste. The rules introduce Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR), requiring on-site processing of wet waste wherever feasible or procurement of EBWGR certificates.
Polluter Pays Principle and Environmental Compensation
The SWM Rules, 2026 introduce environmental compensation based on the polluter pays principle. Penalties may be imposed for operating without registration, false reporting, forged documentation, or improper waste handling practices.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will issue detailed guidelines, while State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees will be responsible for levying compensation.
Digital Monitoring and Faster Land Allocation
A centralised online portal will track the entire waste management lifecycle, from generation and collection to processing, disposal, biomining, and bioremediation of legacy dumpsites. All authorisations, registrations, audits, and reporting will be carried out digitally.
The rules also introduce graded buffer zone criteria to facilitate faster land allocation for waste processing facilities, particularly those with capacities exceeding five tonnes per day.
RDF Use, Landfill Restrictions, and Special Regions
Industries such as cement plants and waste-to-energy facilities are mandated to increase the use of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) from 5 per cent to 15 per cent over six years. Landfilling is strictly restricted to inert and non-recyclable waste.
Special provisions have been introduced for hilly regions and islands, including tourist user fees, decentralised wet waste processing by hotels, and regulated tourist inflows based on waste handling capacity.
