Context: Rules will come into force from 1st October 2025 to address adverse effects of unmanaged solid waste, implement principles of circular economy, and strengthen monitoring of rules covering both urban and rural areas.

• Solid Waste Management (SWM) is the practice of controlling generation, collection, storage, transport, processing, and disposal of solid waste. 

Different initiatives taken in India for solid waste management

Key Highlights of SWM Rules, 2024         

• Every waste generator shall store separately construction and demolition waste in their own premises and dispose-off as per Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016.

• Bulk waste generator shall procure Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility Certificates from local body for environmentally sound collection and transportation of sanitary waste etc.

• Non-recyclable waste having calorific value of 1500 Kcal/kg or more shall not be disposed of in landfills.

• CPCB shall establish centralized online system for registration and filing annual returns of all obligated entities under these rules.

• Operator of each Treatment, Storage, Disposal Facility shall register on centralized online portal.

• Local body shall prevent agriculture & horticulture waste burning and levy heavy penalty on persons involved in open burning of such waste.

Challenges associated with SWM

• Absence of proper collection and segregation at source; 

• Indiscriminate dumping of electronic waste; 

• Financial constraints on collection and transportation of waste, etc.