Non compliance of waste segregation at source remains the top most challenge for solid waste management in India. The traditional “collect and dispose” approach has contributed significantly to the proliferation of towering landfills, which are struggling to keep pace with the ever-increasing volume of waste.The SWM Rules 2016 define the responsibilities of each stakeholder in the waste value chain. Waste generators are required to segregate their waste at source, and local bodies have the prerogative of collecting and disposing of the segregated waste. But everyone seems to be in a hurry to throw it away. Afterall, Cleanliness is next to Godliness!

Unfortunately there is no ‘away’ for mixed waste. It just changes shape, the mounds of waste turn into pollutants and contaminate air, water and soil. Instead, if waste is segregated at source, waste management can follow the circular flow of nature. Organic waste from kitchens and gardens can get converted into nutrient rich compost to nourish the soil or into biogas that can power our vehicles or homes and kitchens with clean energy. Recyclables like paper, glass, metals and plastics can be recycled to reduce our reliance on virgin resources. Only a small fraction of non-recyclable waste will require landfilling or incineration. Aam ke aam, guthliyon ke bhi daam!

Naturally, the circular route is not so straightforward. It needs a convergence of behaviour change and systemic interventions. The much needed behavioural change with respect to waste has remained a challenge primarily due to 2 reasons — poor and inconsistent communication and lack of monitoring. Clear and consistent messaging, comprising, the What, Why and How of source segregation must be propagated coherently across the country. Currently, even the bin colours are not uniform. While most states in India have agreed on green bin for organic waste and blue bin for dry recyclable waste disposal, there seems to be split opinions on the colour of DH waste bin, as some fancy black, others prefer red. Imagine having traffic lights in different colours across different locations!!!

Domestic Hazardous (DH) waste, as the name suggests consists of all objects that can cause injury or infection to the waste handler. It includes waste that is contaminated with body fluids such as sanitary napkins, tampons, diapers etc, and sharp objects like used needles, syringes, broken glass and such. Even paint drums, expired medicines, pesticide cans, CFL bulbs and tubelights are part of this waste stream as these are potentially toxic and unsafe to handle. Even though SWM Rules clearly define and distinguish all the three waste streams, the widely publicised Swachh Bharat Mission communication often does not include the 3rd bin, DH waste stream. In the era of “hum do hamare do”, DH waste bin is like the unwanted third (girl) child.

While from the quantum perspective, less than 5% of the total municipal solid waste comprises DH waste, the repercussions of mixing it with other waste streams are immense. It poses significant health and environmental risks when disposed unscientifically, reduces the resource recovery potential of other waste streams and is an occupational hazard for waste workers. Germans practise 5 way segregation, no wonder they have the highest recycling rate in the world. In the absence of the third bin, waste workers in India have to sort recyclables like paper and plastics that are mixed with used sanitary pads and soiled diapers. Talk about green warriors!

While it’s great that communication on source segregation is becoming mainstream, it’s challenging for Urban Local Bodies and Civil Society Organizations to enforce three way segregation when the government propagates “geela sukha kachra”. Behaviour change is challenging, it’s like moving mountains when people are asked to adopt a different albeit better habit. People throw excuses like there’s no space for the third bin, or the name itself “gharelu hanikarak” sounds too complicated. Making a mountain of a molehill, some may perceive, but imagine if hundreds of crores are spent on convincing people to ‘use a toilet’, then how much more is needed to convince people to ‘think before they throw’. More like scaling the peaks of Everest!

Source segregation is not a skill to master, but a habit to practise, like brushing your teeth twice daily. Beyond a point, no one will tell you to do it, but you have much to lose if you don’t. It is also not a job of the municipality or the waste workers to segregate your waste, even when you pay them; just like you pay for the tooth brush, but you still have to use it yourself. Knowing which waste goes in which bin and putting it there is one of the most basic acts one can undertake towards a cleaner planet.

The 2024 draft rules on SWM have advanced by requiring waste generators to segregate their waste into four distinct categories at the source: wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste, and special care waste. Therefore, we hope that the implementation on the ground will at least progress from a 2-way to a 3-way. It’s high time, India brings its third bin out of oblivion, and practises source segregation the right way.

Aarti is the Lead-Knowledge Development at Saahas, an NGO in the space of circular economy focusing on solid waste management.