Bengaluru: “Now, make sure you have four bins in your house, the new addition being a black bin to collect hazardous waste.” This is the latest message from the state govt to apartment associations, resident welfare groups and individual houses under the Centre’s new rules.The rules now require waste to be segregated at source into four categories — wet (green bin), dry (blue bin), sanitary (red bin) and domestic hazardous (black bin). However, the state government and local bodies are yet to frame the necessary bylaws for implementation. They have been given one year to do so, leaving several aspects of the new system yet to be streamlined.The four-bin concept has evoked mixed responses though the system came into effect in April 2026 after the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.Apartment associations said they are largely equipped to implement four-way waste segregation by continuing to separate wet and dry waste, collecting sanitary waste separately and setting up common collection points for e-waste. However, they urged the government to issue clear bylaws and provide dedicated collection infrastructure.Satish Mallya, president of the Bangalore Apartment Federation, said: “There is confusion because notices are being issued asking people to comply, even though there are no clear bylaws. Sanitary waste can be collected separately and e-waste and discarded batteries or bulbs can be kept in a common collection area as it is not generated daily. Asking every individual household to keep four bins is a practical challenge because of space constraints.”Aleem, Changemakers of Kanakapura Road, said: “Apartments already handle waste collection, segregation and handover to bulk waste processors, but receive no rebate in property tax despite bearing these costs.”Ratnakar of HSR Citizen Forum said: “While residents may face practical issues, its implementation will ultimately depend on how well people adapt to the new rules.”Laly Randolf, RWA coordinator of KPC Layout in Kasavanahalli, said the new system has not been implemented on the ground. “The collection vehicles are not equipped to carry four different types of waste. There is also a lack of awareness among people,” she said.Ajay Kumar C, activist from Nagarbhavi, said the system would be ineffective if the existing waste management system continues to perform poorly. “Even educated people are throwing unsegregated waste on the roads. A better solution would be to set up manned collection points in every neighbourhood for different categories of waste,” he said.“People are busy in the mornings and may find it difficult to manage four bins. The earlier arrangement of collecting wet waste daily and dry waste twice a week was convenient. Many people are still unaware of the changes,” said Gangambike Mallikarjun, former mayor, Bengaluru.The new system has evoked a positive response. “If people are educated about the new bins, the system will work well. The real issue is collection. No system would succeed unless waste collection is streamlined,” added AC Hariprasad, former corporator, Hoodi.
