Municipal Waste Management Shift in Mumbai: BMC to Assume Responsibility for Waste Collection from Major Apartment Buildings and Businesses, Prohibits External Waste Handling Agencies
In a significant move to enhance the management of solid waste in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued new regulations. These regulations aim to bring more accountability and adherence to environmental standards by taking direct control of waste collection and processing from residential and commercial establishments[1][2].
The key points of these new regulations are as follows:
- Immediate Discontinuation of Services: Bulk waste generators, defined as establishments producing over 100 kg of waste or larger housing/commercial complexes, are required to immediately discontinue services from external waste collection agencies[1][2].
- No Payment to External Agencies: These bulk waste generators are also prohibited from paying any fees to external agencies for waste collection, as the BMC's Solid Waste Management (SWM) Department will provide this service directly[2].
- Formation of Ward-Level Teams: Assistant Head Supervisors (AHS) in each ward are instructed to form teams that will inspect residential and commercial buildings, collect data about current waste handlers, fees paid, and agreements within 7 days[1][2].
- Official Notices: The BMC will issue official notices to establishments currently outsourcing waste collection to cease these arrangements[1][2].
- Ensuring Necessary Infrastructure: Assistant and Executive Engineers from the SWM Department have been tasked with ensuring necessary logistical and transport infrastructure is in place for smooth BMC-managed waste collection[1][2].
This move is part of a broader overhaul of the city’s Solid Waste Management policy, which also includes deferring new registrations for private waste processing agencies for FY 2025–26 to bring bulk waste generators under stricter supervision[2].
The shift aims to enforce better accountability, scientific treatment, segregation, collection, and transportation of waste, aligned with municipal SWM rules[2].
It is important to note that prior efforts to make large housing societies and commercial establishments segregate and compost waste on-site largely failed after the COVID-19 pandemic[2].
In summary, the BMC is taking total control over waste collection from residential and commercial establishments, eliminating the role of private third-party waste handlers while strengthening official municipal services and supervision to improve accountability and environmental standards[1][2]. The data to be collected includes the name of the waste collection agency, monthly fees paid to external agencies, and copies of official agreements or related documents. The BMC will now directly collect waste from residential and commercial establishments in Mumbai.
The BMC's new regulations for waste management in Mumbai will now see direct control over waste collection from both residential and commercial establishments. In line with this, bulk waste generators are now required to discontinue services from external waste collection agencies. The BMC's Solid Waste Management (SWM) Department will take over the responsibility of waste collection from these establishments, eliminating the need for payments to external agencies.
