Environmental Service

Waste Management Advisory

India generates over 62 million tonnes of solid waste annually, 7.5 million tonnes of hazardous waste, and 700+ tonnes of biomedical waste daily. We help companies achieve regulatory compliance across all 8 waste management rules, minimise waste generation, implement EPR obligations, and transition to circular economy practices — while meeting BRSR Principle 6 disclosure requirements.

8
Waste Rules
62M T
Solid Waste/Year
EPR
5 Waste Streams
BRSR P6
Waste Disclosure
Regulatory Framework

India’s Waste Management Regulations

India has 8 distinct waste management rules under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Each applies to specific waste streams with unique compliance requirements.

Hazardous & Other Wastes Rules, 2016

Covers 36 processes and 42 waste categories. Requires SPCB authorisation, manifest system, 90-day storage limit, and disposal at authorised TSDFs. Transboundary movement under Basel Convention. Import/export permissions. Annual returns to SPCB.

Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016

Covers municipal solid waste. Mandatory segregation at source (wet/dry/hazardous). Bulk generators (>100 kg/day) must process waste on-site or through authorised agencies. Compost, bio-methanation, and waste-to-energy options.

Bio-Medical Waste Rules, 2016

Covers healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics, labs, blood banks). 4-colour segregation, bar-code tracking, 48-hour storage limit, authorised CBWTF disposal. Annual returns to SPCB. 700+ tonnes generated daily across India.

E-Waste Management Rules, 2022

Covers 106 electronic products. EPR for producers/manufacturers. Annual collection and recycling targets (60–80% by weight). CPCB registration. Annual filing to CPCB. Penalties for non-achievement of targets.

Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016

Amended 2021. Single-use plastic ban (identified items). EPR for producers, importers, and brand owners (PIBOs). Minimum recycling targets. Multi-layered plastic (MLP) alternatives. CPCB EPR portal registration.

Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022

Covers lead-acid, lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, and other batteries. EPR for producers. Collection and recycling targets (70–90%). Urban mining emphasis. Extended to EV batteries.

Tyre Waste Management Rules, 2022

First-of-kind tyre waste EPR framework. Recovery targets for tyre producers. Retreading, recycling (crumb rubber, pyrolysis oil), and energy recovery pathways. Annual returns to CPCB.

C&D Waste Management Rules, 2016

Covers construction and demolition waste. Mandatory waste management plans for projects. Segregation of concrete, steel, wood, glass. Recycled aggregate standards. Processing facility requirements.

Our Services

Waste Management Advisory Services

01

Waste Audit & Characterisation

Comprehensive waste stream mapping, quantification, and characterisation. Source identification, composition analysis, storage assessment, and disposal pathway mapping. Covers all 8 waste categories with regulatory classification.

02

Regulatory Compliance

Gap analysis against all applicable waste rules. Authorisation/registration applications, manifest system setup, TSDF/recycler coordination, record-keeping protocols, and annual return preparation for SPCB/CPCB.

03

Hazardous Waste Management

SPCB authorisation applications, hazardous waste inventory and storage compliance, manifest system implementation, TSDF coordination, waste minimisation plans, and co-processing arrangements with cement kilns.

04

EPR Compliance

Extended Producer Responsibility for plastics, e-waste, batteries, tyres, and used oil. CPCB portal registration, PRO coordination, collection mechanism design, target achievement tracking, and annual filing.

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05

Waste Minimisation

Waste hierarchy application: prevent, reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, dispose. Process optimisation, material substitution, yield improvement, and by-product valorisation to reduce waste generation at source.

06

Circular Economy Advisory

Waste-to-resource strategies, material flow analysis, industrial symbiosis identification, circular design principles, take-back programme design, and circularity KPIs for BRSR Principle 2 and Principle 6.

BRSR Requirements

Waste Disclosure Under BRSR

Principle 6: Waste (Essential)

  • Total waste generated (in metric tonnes)
  • Waste by category: plastic, e-waste, biomedical, C&D, hazardous, other non-hazardous, radioactive
  • Waste recovered through recycling, reuse, and other recovery
  • Waste disposed through incineration, landfill, and other disposal
  • Waste intensity per rupee of turnover

Principle 2: Product Stewardship

  • Products designed for reuse, recycling, or safe disposal
  • Percentage of inputs from recycled or renewable sources
  • Product reclamation/take-back programmes
  • EPR compliance status and targets
  • Packaging recyclability and reduction initiatives
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Frequently Asked Questions

Waste Management FAQ

Do I need SPCB authorisation for hazardous waste?

Yes. Any occupier (facility) generating hazardous waste listed in the Hazardous & Other Wastes Rules 2016 must obtain authorisation from the State Pollution Control Board. The authorisation specifies waste categories, quantities, storage conditions, and disposal arrangements. Annual returns must be filed with the SPCB. Operating without authorisation is a violation of the EP Act 1986 and can result in prosecution, closure directions, and environmental compensation.

What waste data is required for BRSR?

BRSR Principle 6 Essential Indicators require total waste generated (in metric tonnes) categorised by type: plastic waste, e-waste, biomedical waste, C&D waste, hazardous waste, other non-hazardous waste, and radioactive waste. For each category, you must disclose waste recovered (recycled, reused, other recovery) and waste disposed (incineration, landfilling, other disposal). BRSR Core requires third-party assurance of waste data for top 1,000 companies. Principle 2 also asks about product stewardship and EPR compliance.

What are the penalties for improper hazardous waste disposal?

Under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986: imprisonment up to 5 years and/or fine up to ≤1 lakh for first offence, with enhanced penalties for continuing violations (≤5,000 per day). The NGT can impose environmental compensation for damage caused. SPCBs can issue closure directions and disconnect power/water. Companies face BRSR disclosure obligations for environmental fines and penalties under Principle 1 (Essential Indicator on fines/penalties).

Which single-use plastics are banned in India?

Since 1 July 2022, India has banned identified single-use plastic items including: earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy/ice-cream sticks, polystyrene for decoration, plates/cups/glasses, cutlery, wrapping/packing films around sweet boxes and invitation cards, PVC banners <100 micron, and stirrers. Carry bags must be ≥120 micron thickness. This is distinct from EPR obligations, which apply to all plastic packaging regardless of single-use status.

What is the difference between waste management and EPR?

Waste management refers to the handling, treatment, and disposal of waste generated by a facility (as a generator). Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) makes producers, importers, and brand owners responsible for the end-of-life management of their products and packaging — even after the product is sold. EPR requires collection, recycling, and processing of post-consumer waste through registered recyclers/PROs. Both obligations may apply simultaneously — a manufacturer may need hazardous waste authorisation (as a generator) and plastic EPR registration (as a brand owner).

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