Rules 4 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.
Rule 4 lists what solid waste management by local authorities includes. Rule 5 sets the duties of every waste generator: segregate waste at source into four streams, wrap sanitary waste, store construction and horticultural waste separately, not throw, burn or bury waste, pay the user fee and give notice of large events. Rule 5(2) adds a one-year duty for gated communities, institutions over 5,000 sq.m., resident and market associations, hotels and restaurants.
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 manage a society, hotel, restaurant or institution and want your segregation set-up reviewed, our compliance advisory team can help.
Every waste generator must segregate and store waste at source in four separate streams, wet, dry, sanitary and special care waste, and hand the segregated waste to authorised waste pickers or collectors (rule 5(1)(b)). It must not throw, burn or bury waste on streets, open spaces, drains or water bodies, and must pay the user fee in the local body's bye-laws. Gated communities and institutions above 5,000 sq.m., associations, hotels and restaurants must ensure segregation within one year of notification, with the local body (rule 5(2)).
Rule 4: what solid waste management covers
Solid waste management by local authorities in their jurisdictions shall include, among other things, environmentally sound management of dry waste, wet waste, special care waste, sanitary waste and horticultural waste, sanitary landfill management and remediation of existing or legacy waste dumpsites. The Rules also define a "waste hierarchy" in rule 3(1)(zzi), with prevention the most preferred option and disposal at landfill the least, but rule 4 itself does not list its steps.
Rule 5(1): duties of every waste generator
| Clause | Duty |
|---|---|
| (a) | Adopt measures to prevent or reduce environmental pollution caused by solid waste |
| (b) | Segregate and store waste in four separate streams at source: wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste and special care waste; hand it over to authorised waste pickers or waste collectors as directed or notified by the local authorities |
| (c) | Wrap used sanitary waste securely in the pouches provided by manufacturers or brand owners of the products, or in suitable wrapping as instructed by the local body, and place it in a sanitary waste bin separate from the other bins |
| (d) | Store construction and demolition waste separately on the premises and dispose of it as per the Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025 |
| (e) | Store horticulture or garden waste separately on the premises and dispose of it as directed by the local body |
| (f) | Not throw, burn or bury waste on streets, open public spaces outside the premises, or dispose of it in drains or water bodies |
| (g) | A street vendor shall keep suitable containers for waste from its activity, such as food waste, disposable plates, cups, cans, wrappers and coconut shells, and deposit it at the waste storage depot, container or vehicle notified by the local body |
| (h) | Pay the user fee specified in the bye-laws of the local body |
| (i) | Keep suitable containers for storage of segregated waste and hand it over to authorised collectors or collection vehicles notified by the local body |
| (j) | Not organise an event or gathering of more than one hundred persons at any unlicensed place without intimating the local body at least three working days in advance; ensure segregation at source and hand over of segregated waste to the collector or agency specified by the local body |
| (k) | Not mix bio-medical waste covered under the Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 with solid waste, where the generator is identified as an occupier under those Rules |
The Rules fix no user fee amount. The fee follows the local body's bye-laws, which urban local bodies must frame by 31 March 2027 (rule 39(5)), see rules 38 to 41.
Rule 5(2): larger generators
All gated communities and institutions with more than 5,000 sq.m. area, and all resident welfare associations, market associations, hotels and restaurants, shall, within one year from the date of notification of the Rules in the Official Gazette and in partnership with the local body:
- ensure segregation of waste at source by the generators as the Rules prescribe;
- facilitate collection of segregated waste in separate streams;
- hand over recyclable material to authorised waste pickers or authorised recyclers;
- process, treat and dispose of biodegradable waste through composting or bio-methanation within the premises as far as possible; and
- give the residual waste to the waste collectors or agency as the local body directs.
The one-year period runs from the date of notification printed in the Rules and is not computed here. A premises that is also a bulk waste generator has the further duties in rule 6.
What this means in practice
- Four bins, not two. Wet and dry are not enough: sanitary waste and special care waste, such as expired medicines, CFLs, batteries and syringes, have their own streams. The bin colours for public places are in rule 39(51): green for wet waste, blue for dry waste and, in public toilets, red for sanitary waste.
- Sanitary pouches. Manufacturers and brand owners are expected to supply pouches; the generator must use them or similar wrapping.
- Events. An event of more than one hundred persons at an unlicensed place needs three working days' notice to the local body.
- Street vendors. A vendor needs its own container and must deposit waste at the notified point.
- Enforcement. The Rules define "fine" as a penalty imposed under the bye-laws for non-compliance, and rule 39(31) requires urban local bodies to prescribe criteria for spot fines. Environmental compensation and section 15 action apply to non-compliance generally, see rules 15 to 21.
Who is affected
Every household and establishment, plus street vendors, event organisers, resident welfare associations, market associations, hotels, restaurants, gated communities and institutions above 5,000 sq.m., and brand owners and manufacturers of sanitary products.
Example
Lakeview Hotel Private Limited has a restaurant, banquet hall and 60 rooms. It sets up four labelled bins in each area: wet kitchen waste for on-site composting, dry waste for the registered recycler, sanitary waste in sealed pouches and a special care box for used batteries and CFLs. Before a wedding of more than one hundred guests at its unlicensed lawn, it intimates the local body three working days ahead, as rule 5(1)(j) requires.
Need help setting up segregation and records?
Segregation duties are simple on paper and hard to prove in an inspection. Our compliance advisory team can help you design bins, hand-over records and local body intimations for your premises.
Key takeaways
- Four streams at source: wet, dry, sanitary and special care waste.
- No throwing, burning or burying of waste in public places, drains or water bodies.
- Pay the user fee set in the local body's bye-laws; the Rules print no amount.
- Gated communities and institutions above 5,000 sq.m., associations, hotels and restaurants must ensure segregation within one year of notification, with the local body.
- Events of more than one hundred persons at unlicensed places need three working days' prior intimation.
Read next
- Rule 6: duties of bulk waste generators
- Rules 7 to 10: facilities, collection, MRFs and EBWGR certificates
- Rules 1 to 3: application and definitions
- 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.