What is Solid Waste?
Solid waste means any discarded solid or semi-solid material generated from residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, or public activities that requires collection, processing, recycling, recovery, treatment, or scientific disposal. It includes biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, but excludes sewage, hazardous waste covered under separate rules, biomedical waste, e-waste, construction and demolition waste, and other wastes governed by specific regulations.
What is Dry Waste?
Dry waste consists of recyclable or recoverable materials that do not decompose quickly, such as:
- Plastic
- Paper & cardboard
- Glass
- Metal
- Rubber
- Wood
- Packaging materials
Dry waste should be kept clean and dry before handing it over for recycling.
What is Wet Waste?
Wet waste is biodegradable organic waste generated mainly from kitchens and food preparation, including:
- Cooked food
- Raw vegetables
- Fruit peels
- Meat and fish waste
- Tea leaves
- Coffee grounds
- Flowers
Wet waste should ideally be composted or processed through bio-methanation wherever feasible.
What is Horticultural Waste?
Horticultural waste is waste generated from gardens, parks, landscaping, and green areas, including:
- Leaves
- Grass clippings
- Small branches
- Twigs
- Flowers
- Garden trimmings
This waste can be composted or processed into mulch instead of being sent to landfill.
What is Sanitary Waste?
Sanitary waste includes personal hygiene products such as:
- Diapers
- Sanitary napkins
- Sanitary towels
- Tampons
- Condoms
- Incontinence sheets
Such waste should be securely wrapped before disposal and kept separate from other waste streams.
What is Special Care Waste?
Special Care Waste requires careful handling due to its hazardous or potentially harmful nature. Examples include:
- Paint containers
- Pesticide containers
- CFL bulbs
- Tube lights
- Mercury thermometers
- Expired medicines
- Batteries
- Used needles
- Syringes
These items should only be handed over to authorised collection agencies or designated collection centres.
What is Solid Fuel?
Solid Fuel refers to fuel produced from suitable non-recyclable combustible waste after processing. It is commonly known as Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and is used by industries such as cement plants and waste-to-energy facilities as a substitute for conventional fossil fuels.
Who is a Bulk Waste Generator (BWG)?
A premises qualifies as a Bulk Waste Generator (BWG) if any one of the following conditions is met:
- Built-up area of 20,000 sq.m. or more
- Water consumption of 40,000 litres/day or more
- Solid waste generation of 100 kg/day or more
BWGs have additional responsibilities for segregation, processing, record keeping, and compliance under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.
How to Check Your Longitude & Latitude?
On Mobile
- Open Google Maps.
- Tap and hold your exact location.
- A red location pin will appear.
- The latitude and longitude will be displayed in the search bar or location details.
On Desktop
- Open Google Maps.
- Right-click on your location.
- Select "What's here?"
- The latitude and longitude will appear at the bottom of the screen.
How to Know Your Local Body?
Your local body is the government authority responsible for solid waste management in your area. Examples include:
- Municipal Corporation
- Municipal Council
- Nagar Panchayat
- Cantonment Board
- Gram Panchayat (Rural)
You can identify your local body by:
- Checking your Property Tax Bill.
- Checking your Water Bill.
- Visiting your State Urban Development or Municipal website.
- Searching online using "<Your City> Municipal Corporation" or "<Your Area> Municipal Council".
Tips
- Segregate waste at the source every day.
- Never mix wet and dry waste.
- Wrap sanitary waste before disposal.
- Store special care waste separately.
- Keep recyclable materials clean and dry.
- Estimate waste quantities honestly.
- If you are unsure about a question, leave it blank instead of selecting an incorrect answer.
- Each premises must be assessed separately.
- Keep records of waste generation and disposal wherever applicable.
Contact A A Garg & Co. (A2G)
Need assistance with BWG compliance? Our team can help with BWG eligibility assessment, registration guidance, compliance gap assessment, documentation support, waste management planning, and training and implementation.
- Phone: +91 96534 96343
- Email: info@aagarg.in
- Website: aagarg.in
Still have questions? Reach out to A A Garg & Co. (A2G) for a detailed, premises-specific compliance assessment.