[ Prem Chetry ]
BOMDILA, 11 Jul: To curb environmental pollution and ensure proper waste disposal, the West Kameng district administration has introduced mandatory four-stream source segregation of solid waste and installation of four-coloured waste bins across the district.
The order came into effect on Friday.
The order, issued by Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar, mandates that every waste generator segregate solid waste at source into four categories before storage or disposal.
Under the directive, the green bin is meant for wet or biodegradable waste such as food leftovers, kitchen waste, flowers and fruit peels; the blue bin for dry or recyclable waste including plastic, paper, glass, metals, rubber and wood; the red bin for sanitary waste such as used diapers, sanitary napkins, pads, condoms and tampons; and the black bin 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 as well as the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. Defaulters will be liable for action under the applicable penal provisions.
It also places responsibility on 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 to ensure compliance within their respective premises and jurisdictions. They have been directed to install four colour-coded bins, enforce mandatory source segregation and hand over only segregated waste to authorised collection agencies.
The order will apply throughout West Kameng district and will be binding on all waste generators in both urban and rural areas, including government and private establishments, educational and health institutions, markets, commercial establishments, industrial units, hotels, resorts, homestays, restaurants, offices, residential premises, village settlements and all other entities covered under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.
According to the order, 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 states 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.
The order also cautioned that any person, institution, establishment or authority failing to comply will be liable for 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.
