Rules 11 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rules 11 to 14 set the outlet side of solid waste. Industrial units using solid fuel must substitute refuse-derived fuel (RDF) or segregated combustible fraction within a specified distance, hilly and island areas get tailored rules, high-calorific waste may not go to landfill and must be used for energy, and sanitary landfills may take only residual and inert waste.
These Rules are current as amended up to their notification on 27 January 2026 (S.O. 388(E), in force 1 April 2026); no amendment found to 3 October 2026. Later amendments, CPCB guidelines and notifications should be checked. If you operate a cement kiln, boiler, RDF plant, waste-to-energy plant or landfill and need to plan your obligations, our compliance advisory team can help.
Industrial units using solid fuel must replace part of their fuel with RDF, segregated combustible fraction or agri-residue, with distances of 100 km for boilers and waste-to-energy plants and 400 km for cement kilns (rule 11). Non-recyclable waste of 1500 kcal/kg or more may not go to landfill (rule 13). Sanitary landfills take only non-usable, non-recyclable, non-combustible and inert waste (rule 14).
Rule 11: RDF and combustible fraction in industry
The table
The units using solid fuel shall use RDF, segregated combustible fraction (SCF) or agri-residue as per the table. Units located within the specified distance from a solid waste based RDF plant shall replace their solid fuel requirement with combustible fraction conforming to CPCB standards.
| Fraction | Calorific value | Intended use | Specified distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Segregated combustible fraction or agri-residue | More than 1500 kcal/kg net | Waste to energy plants or industries with boilers of heating requirements | 100 km |
| RDF Grade I | More than 4500 kcal/kg net | Direct co-processing in cement kilns | 400 km |
| RDF Grade II | 3750 to 4500 kcal/kg net | Direct co-processing in cement kilns | 400 km |
| RDF Grade III | 3000 to 3750 kcal/kg net | Co-processing directly or after processing with other waste in cement kilns | 400 km |
The fuel substitution schedule printed against the table is: at least six per cent of fuel intake from the date the Rules come into effect, at least ten per cent after three years from that date, and at least fifteen per cent after six years from that date. The dates are not computed here.
Registration and reporting
- Industrial units shall register with the State Board and file annual returns on use of RDF, SCF or agri-residue on the portal by 30 June every year (11(2)).
- RDF plants and MRF-cum-RDF plants shall register and report availability and quality monthly (11(3)), and report availability and offtake in real time (11(4)).
- RDF or SCF plants supplying waste-to-energy plants must ensure at least 1500 kcal/kg, and those supplying cement plants 3000 kcal/kg (11(5), (6)).
Rule 12: hilly and island areas
| Clause | Content |
|---|---|
| (i), (vi) | Local authorities may levy fees from visitors or tourists (not permanent residents), including at the entry point, and may regulate visitor numbers to waste handling capacity |
| (ii), (iii) | Avoid landfills on hills and islands; set up an enclosed transfer station; identify land in the plains down the hill within 25 kilometers for a sanitary landfill, or set up a regional landfill if no such land is available |
| (iv), (v) | Bye-laws prohibiting littering; tourists informed at the entry point and through hotels and hoardings; litter bins at tourist destinations |
| (vii) | Land to be identified for decentralised processing; step garden system may be adopted |
| (viii), (ix) | Island villages have designated collection points for segregated non-biodegradable waste; fishermen, boat and tourism operators hand waste to the local body and do not litter the coast or sea |
| (x) | Decentralised processing by hotels and restaurants to be encouraged |
Rule 13: waste to energy
- Non-recyclable waste with calorific value of 1500 kcal/kg or more shall not be disposed of on landfills and shall be used only for energy, through RDF or as RDF feedstock per CPCB standards (13(1)).
- High calorific waste under rule 11(1) shall be used for co-processing in cement or thermal power plants, waste-to-electricity plants or other industries approved by the CPCB, which must continue to meet environmental standards (13(2)).
- A local body or operator proposing a waste-to-energy plant for waste of 1500 kcal/kg or more applies in Form I to the State Board, which shall examine it and grant permission within sixty days (13(3)); such facilities are authorised by the State Board per CPCB guidelines (13(4)).
Rule 14: sanitary landfills
| Sub-rule | Content |
|---|---|
| 14(1), (2) | State departments identify land on a regional or cluster approach; the district land department makes the land parcel available to the concessionaire or third party |
| 14(3) | The local body identifies eligible agencies as per Schedule II, following the timeline in Schedule I |
| 14(4) | Only non-usable, non-recyclable, non-biodegradable dry waste, non-combustible, non-energy recoverable dry waste, inert waste, pre-processing rejects and residues, residual waste and inerts go to sanitary landfill; no wet waste or construction and demolition waste. Until adequate processing exists, a landfill user fee on a weight basis applies to unsegregated waste and similar, after which unsegregated waste cannot be disposed of there; a local body without a processing linkage may not deposit such waste |
| 14(5), (6) | The user fee for unsegregated waste must be higher than collection, transport and processing costs and goes to a separate account; operators charge fees for inerts per CPCB guidelines, fixed by the State urban or municipal department |
| 14(7) | The State Board or a Registered Environment Auditor audits landfill operation; the audit report is uploaded by 31 December of the next financial year |
| 14(8), (10), (11) | The operator registers and files annual returns by 30 June, submits quarterly reports to the District Magistrate and the portal, and the District Magistrate ensures operation as per the Rules |
| 14(9) | Operation per CPCB guidelines |
The siting and design criteria in Schedule II are explained in the Schedules article; the legacy dumpsite rule 15 is covered in rules 15 to 21.
Who is affected
Cement plants, thermal and captive power plants and industries with solid fuel boilers; RDF and MRF-cum-RDF plant operators; waste-to-energy developers; local bodies in hilly and island areas, and tourism operators there; landfill operators and the State and district authorities that supervise them.
Example
Granite Cement Limited uses solid fuel in its kiln and sits 250 km from a Grade II RDF plant. Under rule 11 it is within the 400 km distance for RDF co-processing, so it registers with the State Board, plans substitution at the percentage printed for the stage that applies, and files its RDF return by 30 June. The RDF plant must report offtake in real time (rule 11(4)).
Need help planning RDF, WtE or landfill compliance?
The distances, grades and dates interact with consents, authorisations and contracts. Our compliance advisory team can help you map your obligations and prepare for audit.
Key takeaways
- Fuel substitution for industry: 100 km for boilers and WtE plants, 400 km for cement kilns, at six, ten and fifteen per cent at the stages printed.
- High-calorific waste of 1500 kcal/kg or more may not go to landfill.
- State Boards must decide waste-to-energy applications within sixty days.
- Hilly and island areas avoid landfills and may charge tourists.
- Sanitary landfills take only residual and inert waste, with landfill user fees on unsegregated waste.
Read next
- Rules 15 to 21: legacy dumpsites, portal, compensation, committees and reports
- Rules 7 to 10: facilities, MRFs and EBWGR certificates
- Schedules I to IV and the forms
- Waste management company registration: licenses, process and cost
Disclaimer: Based on the environment rules, guidelines and notifications named above as published in the Gazette of India, read with every amendment notified up to 3 October 2026 that the article names (consolidated reading texts from the CPCB 2021 compilation and the Goa State Pollution Control Board 2025 compilation were checked against the amending notifications), as consulted on 3 October 2026. Later amendments, CPCB guidelines, State Board orders and fees should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.