Source-level Waste Separation Essential for Significance: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India has directed the National Capital Region (NCR) states - Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi - to ensure compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, by the end of March. The ruling comes as the court expressed concern over the increasing problem of untreated solid waste in Delhi, which is estimated to be around 3000 tonnes per day.

In a hearing on January 27, the top court emphasised the importance of waste segregation at source for the environment. Amicus curiae Aparajita Singh highlighted the low percentage of waste segregation and the issue of sending unsegregated waste to waste-to-energy plants, causing more pollution. The court noted that this non-compliance has affected cities nationwide.

The bench has asked the authorities to set out a comprehensive plan for waste management, including timelines and implementing agencies, and "best practices" they propose to follow for solid waste management. If proper waste segregation is not implemented, even waste-to-energy projects will create more pollution.

The Supreme Court has also directed the Central Pollution Control Board to submit a report on the impact of waste-to-energy projects on the environment. However, the court did not specify the timeline for the submission of this report.

The NCR includes Delhi and certain districts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The states have been ordered to file affidavits regarding the compliance of all urban local bodies with the 2016 rules by the end of March. The court has not yet indicated whether it will take up the matter of the low percentage of waste segregation and the issue of sending unsegregated waste to waste-to-energy plants causing more pollution in a separate hearing.

The Supreme Court has not yet indicated whether it will hear the matter again after the affidavits are filed by the NCR states. The court has also not yet specified what drastic orders it may consider to address the issue of untreated solid waste in Delhi.

In a separate matter, Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, announced a 'War Room' for industries in response to US tariffs. This matter does not appear to be directly related to the waste management issue and has not been taken up by the Supreme Court.

As the problem of untreated solid waste in Delhi is expected to increase over time, the Supreme Court's directives are a significant step towards addressing this pressing environmental issue. The court's emphasis on waste segregation at source and the need for a comprehensive waste management plan underscores the urgency of addressing this issue effectively.