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A press conference on the topic 'Solid Waste Management' was organized at the Secretariat Media Center on Wednesday by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Dehradun, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. In this, detailed information was given on Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, legacy waste/dumpsite remediation, garbage segregation, air pollution control and role of local bodies.

achieved through collective participation

Dr. Parag Madhukar Dhakate, Member Secretary, Pollution Control Board, said that the amount of garbage is increasing with the rapidly increasing urbanization. In such a situation, active participation of public representatives and citizens is necessary along with taking the scientific and data-based approach to the grassroots level. The goal of effective solid waste management and clean air can be achieved not only through government efforts but through collective participation.

Responsibilities of waste generators increased

He said that under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, the new rules, effective from April 1, 2026, emphasize the separation of waste into four streams – wet, dry, sanitary and special care waste. Also, the responsibilities of bulk waste generators have been increased and arrangements for Extended Bulk Waste Generators Responsibility (EBWGR) have been made. The rules provide for online monitoring of collection, transportation, processing and disposal of waste and digital registration and reporting. Its objective is to promote circular economy by using waste as a resource while increasing transparency and accountability. Recycling and reuse have been prioritized, leaving landfill as the last option.

Garbage separation has been started

Dr. Dhakate stressed that there is a system of 100 percent door-to-door garbage collection in 1,314 wards under 108 urban local bodies in Uttarakhand. About 1,515 vehicles are available in the state and the procurement process for additional vehicles is underway. Four compartments are being provided in new vehicles for four-stream separation. Garbage segregation at source has been started in 1,225 wards in the state. About 1,930.85 metric tons of waste is generated daily, out of which 1,804.59 metric tons (93.46 percent) is being processed daily. There are 61 legacy waste/dumpsites identified in the state. Of these, out of approximately 23.34 lakh metric tonnes of old waste, 12.70 lakh metric tonnes (54.41 percent) have been treated. The target is to accelerate old waste treatment and dumpsite remediation by December 2026. There are 85 MRFs, 663 NADEP/compost pits and 87 plastic compactors operating in the state and 1,058 bulk waste generators have been identified. Vehicle Location Tracking System (VLTS) is being implemented to monitor garbage collection and transportation. In the first phase, all municipal corporations are being brought under its purview.

Mentioned instructions regarding

Praveen Kumar, Additional Director, Urban Development, said that the Supreme Court's instructions regarding effective implementation of solid waste management rules were also mentioned. The Court has emphasized on ensuring compliance, accountability of BWGs, digital registration, monitoring and effective action on unauthorized dumping. India is moving towards the goal of 'Zero Dumpsite'. Through dumpsite remediation, old waste is being scientifically treated and converted into useful resources like road construction material, filling material, recyclable items and RDF. This helps in reducing air and groundwater pollution and incidents of fires in dumpsites.

Proper management of generator waste

He said that the Mayor, councilors and other public representatives were urged to motivate citizens to follow four-level waste segregation at source, responsible use of plastic and cleanliness rules. There was also a need to pay special attention to proper management of waste from RWAs, hotels, restaurants and other bulk waste generators. In view of the increasing pilgrimage and tourism activities in Chardham and other tourist areas, emphasis was laid on preparing a special plan for proper arrangements for garbage collection, separation, transportation and scientific processing. For clean air and effective solid waste management, collective participation of government, local bodies, public representatives, institutions, business establishments and citizens is necessary.

Special provisions have been implemented

Kumar said that special provisions have been implemented for solid waste management in hilly areas and islands. These include charging user fees from tourists and controlling the arrival of tourists by local bodies on the basis of available waste management facilities. Special collection centers for non-biodegradable waste will be set up in these areas. Local people will be encouraged to hand over waste to local bodies and will be prevented from littering. Hotels and restaurants will undertake decentralized processing of wet waste as per the norms prescribed by SPCB or PCC. There is also a provision for establishment of central and state level committees for effective implementation of the rules. At the state level or at the Union Territory level, a committee headed by the Chief Secretary of the State or the head of the Union Territory Administration will recommend effective implementation of the rules to the Central Pollution Control Board.