"Way Forward to comply with new SWM Rules 2026 in Kolkata, Howrah and ULBs and Roles of Political Parties for environmental sustainability.

"Way Forward to comply with new SWM Rules 2026 in Kolkata, Howrah and ULBs and Roles of Political Parties for environmental sustainability.-

Sunanda Biswas -

The Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, effective April 1, 2026, supersedes the 2016 rules has number of key changes in the role of the ULBs and the bulk waste generators. Moreover, with respect to compliance the political parties do not address the environmental issues as well as the SWM issues in their agenda. 

This press meet will address three issues: 

1. The changes in SWM Rule 2026 and the responsibilities of ULBs and Bulk Generators to comply with.

2. Issues the political parties may speak about Waste Management in Kolkata as well in West Bengal

3. The relevance of the mission, “Catch Them Young: Zero Waste and Circular Economy in Campus” in which nearly 4,40,600 students and teachers have been working in seven countries.  

A. Key changes include the following which must be adhered to by the ULBs

1. Four-bin Segregation of Solid Waste at Source

Waste is required to be segregated into:

a) Wet Biodegradable waste (GREEN Bin) includes kitchen waste, vegetables, fruit peels, meat, flowers, etc., to be composted or processed through bio-methanation at the nearest facility. 

b) Dry Recyclable waste (BLUE Bin) comprises plastic, paper, metal, glass, wood and rubber, etc., and shall be transported to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) for sorting and recycling. 

c) Sanitary waste (RED Bin) includes used diapers, sanitary pads & towels, tampons, condoms, etc., to securely wrapped in pouches provided by manufacturers or brand owners of these products;

d) Special care waste (BLACK Bin) includes paint cans, bulbs, mercury thermometers, medicines, etc., which shall be collected by authorised agencies or deposited at designated collection centres.

2. Collection, Segregations and MRF by ULBs – 

a) ensure that no intermixing of waste streams during collection & transportation and remains segregated until it reaches the designated waste processing facility;

b) Strict 'Polluter Pays' environmental compensation, and enhanced accountability for Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs). 

c) Mandatory digital tracking system to be implemented in the waste collection vehicles.

d) Centralized Digital Monitoring: Replaces fragmented manual reporting with a CPCB-managed online portal for tracking waste disposal and compliance and.

e) Stricter Enforcement & Penalties: Introduces "Environmental Compensation" fines based on the "Polluter Pays" principle for non-compliance, moving beyond reliance on municipal bye-laws.

f) ULB may rais the use fee form the waste generators.

g) Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR): Broadens the definitions for Bulk Waste Generators (e.g., > 20,000 sq.m or 100 kg/day) and mandates stricter on-site processing or waste treatment certification.

h) Landfill Limitations: Strict limits on sending only non-recyclable inerts to landfills, with higher costs imposed for not treating waste.

i) Increased RDF Utilization: Mandates a rise in Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) use for cement/waste-to-energy plants from 5% to 15% over six years.

j) Formalization of Sector: Stronger emphasis on tracking and data, alongside continued, yet limited, recognition of the informal sector.

B. Issues RELATED to Waste Management in election process in Kolkata as well in West Bengal

As per the research survey and estimation of International Society of Waste Management Air and Water (ISWMAW), following waste will be generated during the ensuing assembly election. Each assembly constituency is measured nearly 300 sq. km while the only maximum area coverage in Kultali Assembly constitution areas is 1176 sq. km. area,

How the additional 15,362 tons of waste generated during election in WB will be disposed off? 

During the election in West Bengal Though the waste management in Kolkata and throughout the state of West Bengal is very poor in general, there is no organised waste utilisation, no political parties in their mandate mentioned about the practical focused solution of the same. There is no proposal of setting up waste to energy plants in Kolkata, Howrah and Siliguri, no proposal of setting up effective integrated waste collection, treatment and recycled product selling MRFs. 

Our Proposal: 

1. The election commission may formulate a farmwork and SoP may be defined disposing this huge amount of waste generated during the election process.

2. The election commission may Levy heavy fine on political parties/organisation involved in on waste/tyre burning during agitation.

3. The political parties may specify the mandate of waste management strategies incorporating establishment of waste-to-energy plants in Howrah, Kolkata, Major cities, bio methanation plants and compost plants in smaller cities effective implementation of collection of segregated wastes for recycling all dry waste generating employment opportunities and developing Zero Waste City. 

We urge to include all these for better sustainable environment

Prof. Sadhan Kumar Ghosh

Founder, Mission, Catch Them Young: Zero Waste and Circular Economy in Campus

President, International Society of Waste Management, Air and Water (ISWMAW)।