Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has decided to strengthen solid waste management systems across the State, with emphasis on regulatory compliance, source segregation, scientific processing, enforcement and the formal integration of informal waste workers.

The decisions were taken at a coordination meeting on the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 and other related regulatory requirements, presided by Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department.

The meeting was attended by the Member Secretary of the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Special Secretary and Mission Director of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), Assistant Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), senior SPCB officials and members of the Sanitation Team of the Housing & Urban Development Department.

State policy, bye-laws to be revised

The meeting decided to revise the existing State Policy and Strategy on Solid Waste Management and the Solid Waste Management Bye-laws in line with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.

The revised framework will focus on waste segregation, collection, transportation, processing, enforcement and regulatory compliance across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

A key priority will be ensuring compliance with the mandatory four-stream source segregation and collection system. Officials informed the meeting that 73 ULBs have already introduced dedicated collection compartments for sanitary and special-care waste.

The remaining ULBs have been directed to ensure compliance at the earliest and strengthen arrangements for the proper collection and handling of segregated waste.

Bulk waste generators under scrutiny

The Government has also decided to undertake systematic enumeration, categorisation and registration of Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs) on the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal.

Under the proposed compliance mechanism, BWGs will be required to process waste at source. Those unable to undertake on-site processing will have to obtain an Extended Bulk Waste Generators Responsibility (EBWGR) Certificate from the concerned ULB before handing over waste to the local authority.

The Additional Chief Environmental Scientist, SPCB, has been asked to convene a meeting with ULBs to provide technical guidance and clarify registration and compliance requirements for BWGs on the CPCB portal.

District Collectors asked to strengthen monitoring

The role of District Collectors in monitoring and enforcing the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 was also discussed.

In accordance with the applicable provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, District Collectors have been directed to strengthen monitoring within their respective jurisdictions.

They have been advised to establish dedicated “Special Cells” to monitor compliance and initiate appropriate action against defaulting Bulk Waste Generators. Virtual site inspections may also be undertaken wherever necessary.

The District Collectors have also been asked to submit fortnightly implementation reports to the designated State Secretaries.

BMC directed to improve waste processing

With specific focus on Bhubaneswar, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has been directed to optimise the utilisation of its Micro Composting Centres (MCCs) by ensuring equitable distribution of fresh waste among the available facilities.

BMC has also been instructed to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for the scientific processing of the city's waste and take appropriate measures to address the accumulated waste at TTS, Sainik School.

1,906 informal waste pickers integrated

The meeting also stressed the need to formally integrate informal waste pickers into the State's waste management value chain.

ULBs have been directed to identify and integrate informal waste pickers into the formal waste management system in line with the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.

So far, 1,906 informal waste pickers have been formally integrated as Swachh Karmis. The initiative aims to recognise their contribution to urban sanitation while providing them with a structured role in the waste management ecosystem.

Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee directed all concerned authorities to ensure coordinated, time-bound and result-oriented implementation of the decisions taken at the meeting.

She emphasised strengthening field-level compliance, ensuring scientific processing of waste and developing accountable and sustainable solid waste management systems across Odisha.