Four-Stream Waste Segregation: India's New Mandate

India is set to implement mandatory four-stream waste segregation at the household level starting April 1, 2026. The revised Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2026 require waste to be separated into four distinct streams: wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste, and special care waste, which includes items like paint cans, bulbs, and medicines. These updated regulations supersede the 2016 rules and emphasize circular economy principles and extended producer responsibility.

The new rules mandate the creation of a Centralised Online Portal to meticulously track all facets of solid waste management, from initial generation through collection, transportation, processing, and final disposal. This digital platform will also facilitate online registration and authorization for waste processing facilities with local bodies and State Pollution Control Boards, alongside mandating audits for these facilities.

Local bodies are encouraged to explore opportunities for generating carbon credits. Material recovery facilities (MRFs) will play a crucial role, acting as deposition points for various waste streams and formally recognized for sorting solid waste. Bulk waste generators, defined by significant waste output or resource consumption, must process wet waste on-site or obtain certification if infeasible.