The West Kameng district administration has introduced a mandatory four-stream source segregation of solid waste and installation of four-coloured waste bins across the district, effective from Friday, in a bid to curb environmental pollution and ensure proper waste disposal.
The order, issued by Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar, requires every waste generator to segregate solid waste at source into four categories before storage or disposal. The four categories include wet or biodegradable waste, dry or recyclable waste, sanitary waste, and domestic hazardous or special care waste.
The green bin is designated for wet or biodegradable waste such as food leftovers, kitchen waste, flowers, and fruit peels. The blue bin is meant for dry or recyclable waste including plastic, paper, glass, metals, rubber, and wood. The red bin is for sanitary waste such as used diapers, sanitary napkins, pads, condoms, and tampons, while the black bin is for domestic hazardous or special care waste, including medicines, expired pills, bulbs, batteries, and paint cans.
The order states that mixing different waste streams or disposing of them together at any stage of collection, storage, or disposal will constitute a violation of the order and the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. Defaulters will be liable for action under the applicable penal provisions.
Heads of government departments, offices, educational and health institutions, public sector undertakings, banks, autonomous bodies, zilla parishads, gram panchayats, market associations, commercial establishments, shopkeepers, vendors, and organisers of public functions or events are responsible for ensuring compliance within their respective premises and jurisdictions.
The order will apply throughout West Kameng district and will be binding on all waste generators in both urban and rural areas. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, notified by the Government of India under Sections 3, 6 and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, came into force on 1 April, 2026, and are applicable to all urban and rural local bodies, government institutions, private establishments, commercial establishments, markets, and every waste generator within their respective jurisdictions.
The order emphasizes that source segregation is the foundation of scientific waste management and is essential for preventing environmental pollution, improving public health, enhancing resource recovery, reducing the burden on landfills, and ensuring effective implementation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Failure to comply with the order will result in action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, and other applicable laws, including penalties, recovery of costs, prosecution, and any other action warranted under the law.
