Solid Waste Management Round Table, Bengaluru

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Solid Waste Management Round Table, Bengaluru

Over the past few years of our existence, we have reached out to more than 25,000 apartment units to encourage them to start waste management.

SWMRT Is a public interest collective of SWM practitioners working towards adoption of sustainable waste management practices by citizens and municipalities, to improve public health, safe food, clean air and water and inclusive livelihoods, since 2009 Solid Waste Management Round Table, Bangalore was formed by 12 organizations in 2009 with an intent to strategically introduce the practice of waste segregation and recycling in Bangalore. We have also been pivotal in influencing key municipal policies regarding waste management in the city. The recent law for mandatory segregation of waste ensured that our efforts resulted in sustainable institutional change. Solid Waste Management Round Table was also awarded the best "Community-based Organization" in the Namma Bengaluru Awards 2011-12. In 2014, we reorganized ourselves to dissolve our organizational identities in SWMRT to work together towards the common cause of decentralization and inclusion in waste management in Bangalore.

15/07/2026

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https://www.instagram.com/whyburnwaste?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==As of today, India has about 30 waste-to-energy (WtE) plants, of which nearly half are dysfunctional owing to the nature of the country's mixed and high-moisture waste and economic unviability. Though these plants process less than 6% of municipal waste and contribute just 0.1% of the total energy generation in India, another 16 plants are under construction and 33 have been proposed.

Unlike countries where waste segregation takes place before waste processing, in India, the municipal waste is mostly mixed. Even though the Solid Waste Management Rules allow only the non-recyclable and high-calorific waste for energy production, there have been reports that the mixed municipal waste is converted to refuse-derived fuel (RDF).

Waste incineration leads to harmful by-products, such as leachate and bottom ash, and emissions from WtE plants include particulate matter, heavy metals, dioxins, and furans. There have been cases where the emissions from WtE plants have surpassed the permissible emission levels set in India.

Internationally, there are some changes happening concerning waste incineration. For example, the European Union has cut down on funding for new WtE plants. Other countries, such as Germany, are imposing a carbon tax in order to reduce waste generation.

All of these studies indicate that the priority should be given to source segregation, recycling, and composting rather than mixed waste incineration.

Read the full article to explore the findings in greater detail.

https://india.mongabay.com/2026/07/burning-waste-is-a-waste-of-money/

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https://www.instagram.com/whyburnwaste?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Whyburn Waste Team this week Sowmya Raghavan
Monika Khanna Gulati NCR Waste Matters

10/06/2026

As part of our ongoing Waste-to-Energy series, this comparison examines the status of WTE plants across India in 2024 versus their operational reality in 2026.

While some projects have progressed, several plants continue to face operational setbacks, shutdowns, community resistance, environmental concerns, and long-standing implementation challenges.

The evolving WTE landscape shows that waste management solutions are far more complex than they often appear on paper. ♻️

Click on these links to see the status of WTE plants -

2024 map link - https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1LMDUJphynwtK4Fattuzf9MMAw4vCP3c&usp=sharing

2026 map link - https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1HIA9LXJghecjnFrIIDBdRso-dkcgdvk&usp=sharing

📲 Follow our page for more such updates:

https://www.instagram.com/whyburnwaste?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Whyburn Waste Team this week Sowmya Raghavan
Monika Khanna Gulati Waste Matters

27/05/2026

This video (by But Why) shows the reality of Dioxins - the deadly chemical generated when waste is burnt in Waste to Energy Plants. this video by It explains the devastating impact of dioxins released during the Vietnam War and how these toxic chemicals entered the soil, water, food systems, and even passed from mothers to their babies across generations.

Mixed waste burnt without proper segregation in WtEs releases toxic smoke, dioxins and generates hazardous ash that contains harmful substances such as cadmium, lead, arsenic, cobalt, and other pollutants. Inspite of that, they continue to function within a billion-dollar global industry despite growing scientific and community concerns.

Watch to understand why burning waste is not the solution it is often made out to be.

Video Courtesy — But Why

📲 Follow our page for more such updates:

https://www.instagram.com/whyburnwaste?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

team this week Sowmya Raghavan
Monika Khanna Gulati Waste Matters

24/04/2026

Make your celebrations sustainable with the HCF Cutlery Bank 🌿
Rent. Use. Return.
Simple, affordable, and eco-friendly alternatives to disposables.
📍 Swachagraha Kalika Kendra, 14th A Cross Road, Sector 4, HSR Layout, Bengaluru – 560102
🍽 Rentals from just ₹1–₹3 per item
💰 Refundable deposit starting ₹2000
📞 Book in advance: 9986821054 / 9632243553
Celebrate joy, not waste. ♻️

16/04/2026

♻️ Public Meeting on Solid Waste Management Rules 2026

Bengaluru comes together to understand, discuss, and strengthen the implementation of the new Solid Waste Management Rules 2026.

From four-way segregation to citizen participation and ward-level best practices, this session brings together key stakeholders to share insights and work together to improve waste management.

📍 Town Hall (Purabhavana), J.C. Road, Bengaluru
🗓️ April 18, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Please use the link below to register for the meeting - https://forms.gle/21fXtx9ufmseiqaj9

Let’s work together towards a cleaner, more sustainable city 🌱

31/03/2026

This visual has been developed in alignment with the updated Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.

We would love to hear your feedback on this visual, as well as on the supporting resources we are sharing—a detailed apartment manual and an accompanying Excel sheet (links attached below).

We invite stakeholders from RWAs, MCs, waste processors, and other sectors of the waste management ecosystem to share their input. Please feel free to leave detailed feedback in the comments, and let us know who you are, the kind of space you represent, and the nature of your work.

Please feel free to write to us with your feedback and comments at [email protected]

Document link - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iznFHr1s2e2go6znOj69s5r-3DsLdC6e5Yn64se0QIk/edit?usp=sharing

Excel Sheet link - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QWE4xyEuaqvGNcZGpZtFi50lzN_9JNRZ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102766085589809258863&rtpof=true&sd=true

Parmar Sowmya Raghavan Aarthi Thoppae

18/02/2026

The Chennai Story

A recent RTI response has raised serious concerns about environmental monitoring at a 50-tonne-per-day waste incinerator in North Chennai. According to the report, the facility allegedly failed to monitor 45 out of 48 mandated environmental parameters, including key indicators related to air emissions, leachate discharge, and toxic ash handling.

Out of 11 required air emission parameters, only 3 were reportedly tested — and not consistently over the years. Residents in nearby areas have reported persistent foul odours, black dust deposits, and respiratory concerns, further intensifying questions about compliance and oversight.

Controlled incineration is legally permitted for specific waste streams, but it must operate under strict environmental safeguards. Without continuous monitoring, transparency, and accountability, waste-to-energy systems can pose risks to air quality, ecosystems, and public health.

Read the full article to understand the findings in detail.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/smoky-north-chennai-incinerator-goes-unchecked-rti-reply-confirms-citizens-concerns/articleshow/128434036.cms

Instagram Post link -
https://www.instagram.com/p/DU5cwmfjx_V/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

team this weeK Sowmya Raghavan Monika Khanna Gulati NCR Waste Matters

04/02/2026

CPCB Compliance Report on India WTEs – Kashipur (Uttarakhand)

This marks the final case in our WhyBurnWaste series, examining the compliance status of waste-to-energy operations in Kashipur, Uttarakhand. This case highlights key regulatory and operational findings identified through inspection and compliance reviews.

Bahl Paper Mills Ltd., Kashipur, Uttarakhand, operates a 2.5 MW waste-to-energy facility. Authorisation details for the unit’s waste-to-energy operations were not provided. The plant has also reported the utilisation of 100 TPD of RDF, for which approval details were not provided.

Operational data indicates the use of auxiliary fuel, with reported combustion temperatures between 950–1000°C. Despite this, key compliance information remains incomplete. Analysis reports and details on the disposal or utilisation of bottom ash and fly ash were also not provided.

While emission monitoring reportedly covered PM, SO₂, NOx, and CO, and compliance was indicated, treated leachate was not monitored or analysed, as noted in the compliance findings. In addition, all parameters prescribed under Schedule II of the Solid Waste Management Rules were not monitored.

This case reinforces the need for robust regulatory oversight, complete disclosure, and strict enforcement to ensure waste-to-energy facilities operate in an environmentally responsible manner.

Report link:
https://drive.google.com/.../10upDH5ubkpetAKHVsnQgZL.../view

Instagram Post Link - https://www.instagram.com/p/DUVZm7RDybq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

team this week Sowmya Raghavan Monika Khanna Gulati NCR Waste Matters

28/01/2026

WTE Violations Pan India - No success stories.

Across India, waste-to-energy plants continue to violate environmental norms.

As part of WhyBurnWaste, we have examined cases from Udham Singh Nagar, Malkajgiri, Medchal, Delhi, Bidadi, and other cities. Despite differences in geography, scale, and operators, the patterns remain strikingly similar.

Repeated violations include expired or missing consents, inadequate emissions monitoring, substandard combustion temperatures, and limited public access to data and disclosures. These issues point not to isolated lapses, but to systemic weaknesses in oversight and enforcement.

When safeguards are ignored, communities bear the health and environmental costs.

Through WhyBurnWaste, we will continue to document evidence, ask difficult questions, and push for transparency, regulatory accountability, and waste management solutions that prioritise public health and environmental justice.

Instagram Post Link - https://www.instagram.com/p/DUDYEUPj1zO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

team this week Sowmya Raghavan Monika Khanna Gulati NCR Waste Matters

21/01/2026

CPCB Compliance Report on India WTEs – Kashipur (Uttarakhand)

What is the current compliance status of waste-to-energy operations in Kashipur? As part of the WhyBurnWaste series, this case highlights key regulatory and operational concerns identified during inspections by the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UKPCB).

Siddheshwari Paper Udyog Pvt. Ltd., Kashipur, Uttarakhand, operates a 6 MW waste-to-energy facility. The Consent to Operate expired on 8 August 2025 and has not been renewed, raising concerns over continued operations without valid authorisation.

Operational findings indicate that the plant does not have approval to utilise 185 TPD of RDF and has recorded combustion temperatures between 600–610°C, far below the prescribed minimum requirement of 950°C for compliant combustion.

Emission monitoring covered PM2.5, SO₂, NOx, and CO, with PM2.5 and CO found to be non-compliant. In addition, details on the analysis and disposal of bottom ash and fly ash were not provided, and stack emissions and treated leachate were not monitored, as required under Schedule II of the Solid Waste Management Rules.

In view of these non-compliances, the UKPCB issued a Show Cause Notice dated 16 June 2025 for alleged violations related to authorisation, emissions, and monitoring requirements.

This case highlights the need for strong regulatory oversight, transparency in reporting, and strict enforcement to ensure environmentally responsible waste-to-energy operations.

Read the full report to understand the compliance concerns and regulatory actions in detail.

Report link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10upDH5ubkpetAKHVsnQgZLCpemQj4uxK/view

Instagram Post Link - https://www.instagram.com/p/DTxWh2RD4Ll/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

team this week Sowmya Raghavan Monika Khanna Gulati NCR Waste Matters

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Bangalore

Website

http://www.swmrt.com/

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