Mangaluru rolls out four-way waste segregation under revised Solid Waste Management Rules 2026

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has commenced the implementation of the newly revised Solid Waste Management Rules 2026, which have come into force across the country from April 1. The updated rules, notified by the Central Government, are aimed at strengthening scientific waste disposal and ensuring stricter compliance with segregation practices at the source.

With the rollout of the new regulations, the MCC has made it mandatory for all waste generators within its limits to segregate solid waste into four categories before handing it over to waste collection vehicles.

The categories are:

1. Wet waste such as kitchen refuse, fruit and vegetable peels, leftover food, meat waste, flowers and leaves.

2. Dry waste including plastic materials, bottles, paper, cardboard and rubber

3. Sanitary waste comprising used sanitary pads, diapers, condoms and bandages

4. Special care or domestic hazardous waste such as used batteries, LED bulbs, tube lights, paint containers, pesticide bottles and thermometers.

MCC Commissioner Ravichandra Naik said that the civic body will collect wet and sanitary waste on a daily basis, while dry waste and domestic hazardous waste will be collected once a week, specifically on Fridays. Officials said the move is intended to streamline collection efficiency and promote better handling of different types of waste.

The corporation has also classified bulk waste generators under the new framework. Establishments generating more than 100 kilograms of waste per day, or having a built-up area exceeding 20,000 square metres—including offices, malls, hospitals and large residential complexes—as well as units consuming over 40,000 litres of water daily, will be treated as bulk waste generators and will be subject to stricter norms.

The MCC has warned that violations in segregation and disposal will attract penalties as per the Solid Waste Management Bye-laws, 2019. Emphasising the need for public cooperation, the civic body has urged residents to adhere strictly to the four-way segregation system, while directing bulk waste generators to process wet waste within their own premises.

For further information, citizens have been advised to contact or visit the Health Department of the corporation during office hours, said the commissioner.

MCC introduces 'Green marriage'

To promote eco-friendly celebrations, the MCC has introduced an initiative to honour newly married couples who adopt zero-waste concept during their wedding ceremonies. MCC Commissioner Ravichandra Naik recently handed over a certificate of appreciation to Veerendar and Suraksha, who entered wedlock at Rajatadri auditorium in Vamanjoor on March 30. 

The MCC in its X handle said "the wedding embraced a zero waste, plastic free and eco friendly concept." 

No plastic bottles were used to distribute drinking water to guests at the eco-friendly wedding ceremony. Instead, all guests were served water and welcome drinks in steel tumblers. No tissue papers were distributed during the programme. Ice cream was served in cups made of arecanut sheets. The stage was decorated with flowers and eco-friendly reusable decorative materials.