Mandatory Four-Stream Segregation (SWM 2026)
Status: Effective April 1, 2026
Parent Category: Compliance Guides > Household Responsibilities
1. Overview
Under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, all waste generators (households, commercial establishments, and institutions) must segregate waste at the source into four distinct streams before handing it over to the authorized waste collector.
Compliance Deadline: April 1, 2026
Penalty Clause: Non-segregation attracts fines ranging from ₹200 (Households) to ₹10,000 (Bulk Generators) per offense (verify local municipal bylaws).
2. The Four Streams (Color Code & Items)
| Stream / Bin Color | Category Name | What Goes In (Inclusions) | Handling Instruction |
| GREEN | Wet Waste (Biodegradable) | Kitchen scraps (veg/fruit peels), Leftover food & tea leaves, Garden litter / leaves, Meat & bones, Flowers | No Plastic Liners: Do not use plastic bags inside the green bin. Waste must be compostable. |
| BLUE | Dry Waste (Recyclables) | Paper & Cardboard (clean), Plastic (bottles, wrappers, containers), Metal (cans, foil), Glass (unbroken), Rubber & Thermocol | Rinse & Dry: Food containers must be rinsed of residue. Crushing bottles saves space. |
| YELLOW | Sanitary Waste | Diapers (Adult/Baby), Sanitary Napkins / Tampons, Condoms, Incontinence sheets, Cotton swabs / Bandages | Secure Wrapping: Must be securely wrapped in the manufacturer's pouch or newspaper. NEVER flush these items. |
| BLACK / RED | Special Care Waste (Domestic Hazardous) | Paints & Pesticide cans, CFL bulbs / Tube lights, Broken glass / Mercury thermometers, Expired medicines, Used batteries | Do Not Mix: These items are toxic and must be handed over separately to the collector or dropped at designated deposition centers. |
3. Frequently Confused Items
- Coconut Shells: Go in Dry Waste (They take too long to compost in standard wet pits).
- Pizza Boxes:
Clean Top: Dry Waste
Greasy Bottom: Wet Waste (or shredded for compost). - Hair & Nail Clippings: Sanitary Waste (Biomedical hazard in some jurisdictions) or Wet Waste (if home composting). Check local municipal guidance.
- Tetra Packs: Dry Waste (Must be rinsed and flattened).
4. Responsibilities for Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs)
(Entities > 20,000 sq. m area or generating >100kg waste/day)
- In-Situ Processing: Must process Wet Waste within the premises (composting/bio-methanation).
- EBWGR Certificate: If on-site processing is impossible, must obtain an Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility certificate and contract an authorized processor.