Waste streams governed by separate rules + handling protocols, distinct from general MSW — biomedical waste (BMW Rules 2016), hazardous + chemical waste (HW Rules 2016), e-waste (E-waste Rules 2022 with EPR), construction + demolition waste (C&D Rules 2016), plastic waste (PWM Rules 2016 + 2022 with EPR). Identification, segregation, transport, treatment, disposal, regulatory compliance.
Special waste streams are governed by separate rules + handling protocols — they must NOT be mixed with general MSW. Mixing is a legal violation + causes downstream processing failure (e.g., mercury batteries in compost destroy the compost; biomedical waste in landfill creates pathogen risk).
Five major streams + their rules:
1. Biomedical waste (BMW Rules 2016) — generated by hospitals, clinics, vets, labs, pathology centres. Color-coded segregation: yellow (anatomical, sharps), red (recyclable plastic), blue (glass), white (sharps). Treated via autoclave OR incinerator at captive facility (hospital > 50 beds) OR contracted Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facility (CBMWTF). Penalties for non-compliance + monthly reporting to SPCB.
2. Hazardous waste (HW Rules 2016) — 113 categories per Schedule I (chemicals, paint, solvent, used oil, sludges, asbestos). Manifest-tracked transport via CPCB-authorised transporter to authorised Treatment-Storage-Disposal Facility (TSDF). Major TSDF operators: Ramky, BEIL, EnviroTech.
3. E-waste (E-waste Rules 2022) — computers, mobile phones, refrigerators, washing machines, fluorescent lamps. Managed via Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) — producers + brand-owners must collect 60 % by 2025, 80 % by 2030 of their placed-on-market quantity. Channelled via authorised dismantlers + recyclers. Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) aggregate + manage compliance.
4. Construction + Demolition waste (C&D Rules 2016) — rapidly growing in Indian cities. Major sources: building demolition, road repair, slum redevelopment. Dedicated C&D processing facilities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore have major plants) crush + sort to produce Recycled Aggregate (RA) — used as 20-30 % replacement of natural aggregate per IS 383 amendment 2016 in non-structural concrete + sub-base.
5. Plastic waste (PWM Rules 2016 + 2022 amendments) — source segregation mandate + EPR (70 % by 2024-25, 100 % by 2027-28) + ban on single-use items (polystyrene, plastic cutlery, flags, balloons sticks, ear-buds). Producers/brand-owners contract PROs for compliance.
EPR is the modern framework: rather than ULBs bearing entire cost of post-consumer waste, producers + brand-owners are financially + operationally responsible. The MoEFCC EPR Portal (active since 2022) tracks producer registration, PRO operations, recycler certification + flow. EPR is rapidly maturing in plastic + e-waste — major financial flow into formal recycling sector + waste picker integration.
ULB role in special wastes: typically not direct processor (except limited C&D + plastic). Instead, ULB provides collection points + coordinates with CBMWTFs/TSDFs/EPR processors + ensures regulatory compliance + integrates informal sector workers into formal flows.
Compliance reality: enforcement is uneven. Major cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune) have functional infrastructure + reasonable compliance for most streams. Smaller cities lag — biomedical + hazardous compliance often weak; e-waste + plastic EPR maturing rapidly.
Where this chapter sits: special wastes account for 5-15 % of total urban waste volume but 30-50 % of environmental + health risk if mishandled. The regulatory framework is mature; execution + compliance vary widely. ULBs that get this right save downstream processing facilities from contamination + comply with the broader environmental framework.