Centre scripts promising solid waster mgmt rules

With an urgency to address the issue of constantly increasing solid waste and decreasing order of landfill sites, the Union environment ministry has come out with a detailed rulebook of solid waste management rules 2016. The new rules are aimed at 'Waste to Wealth' by recovery, reuse and recycling of waste at source.

The new rules seem very promising as it leaves no scope even for the manufacturers of non-biodegradable materials. Manufacturers of such materials used for packaging will have to start a system of collecting back the waste. Even sanitary waste has been broadly defined for the first time in the rulebook. Manufacturers of sanitary products will have to provide pouches for the secure disposal.

Presently, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is following Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules of 2000.

Union minister for environment Prakash Javdekar announced the new rules on Tuesday. The news rules gain importance in the backdrop of Deonar dumping ground fire which witnessed huge public outcry. Protests and criticism were drawn from all strata of society including slum dwellers, residential societies, civic activists, environmentalists and political parties.

SWM rules will be now applicable beyond municipal areas while extending to urban agglomerations, towns, areas under railways, airports, state and central organisations.

Highlights of SWM Rules 2016:

Waste generators have to segregate waste in biodegradable, dry and domestic hazardous waste before handing over to waste collector.
Integration of waste pickers and waste dealers should be done by state government and self help groups.
No person shall throw, burn or bury solid waste generated by him in open public spaces or outside his premises.
User fee to be charged from waste generator to collect waste with fines for littering and non-segregation.
Used sanitary waste like diapers, napkins should be wrapped securely in pouches provided by manufacturers of these products
Segregation of waste will be direct responsbility of bulk waste producers such as market associations, event organisers etc.
Hotels and restaurants to follow systems set up by local bodies to ensure that food waste is utilised for composting.
Developers of SEZ and Industrial estate to earmark at least 5% of total area of the plot or minimum 5 plots /sheds for recovery and recycling facility.
Every street vendor should keep suitable containers for waste generated such as plates, cups, cans and deposit such waste at storage depots.
New townships and group housing societies be made housing responsible to develop in house waste handling and processing arrangements for biodegradable waste.
Biodegradable waste should be treated and disposed of through composting or bio-methanation within the premises as far as possible. The residual waste shall be given to the waste collectors or agency as directed by the local authority.
Brand owners for sale and market products in packaging materials which are non-biodegradable should place a system of collecting back the packaging waste.
All the manufacturers of disposable products such as tin, glass, plastics shall rpovide financial assistance to local authorities for establishment of waste management system.
Manufacturers and brand owners of sanitary napkins and diapers should explore the possibility of using all recyclable materials while providing pouch for disposal of each napkin. Also should educate the masses for wrapping and disposal of their products.
An event of more than 100 persons at any licensed or unlicensed place should ensure segregation of waste at source and handling over of segregated waste to waste collector or agencies specified by local authorities.
Special provision for management of solid waste - construction of landfill on the hill shall be avoided. High calorific waste shall be used for co-processing in cement or thermal power plants.
Construction and demolition waste stored separately should be disposed as per the construction and demolition waste management rules 2016.
Horticulture and garden waste from demolition premises should be disposed as per the directions of local authority.