Chennai, September 12 (Daily Kiran) : The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has made it mandatory for residents and businesses to segregate waste at its source. This initiative aims to strengthen waste management and reduce the amount of waste reaching landfills.
The new rules apply to all entities, including private homes, apartment complexes, shops, commercial establishments, schools, government offices, and institutions generating significant waste. The GCC has warned that violations of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, could result in fines and actions under municipal laws.
Residents and institutions must sort their waste into four categories before handing it over to sanitation workers. A green bin will be designated for wet waste, while a blue bin will be used for recyclable dry waste, including paper, plastic, metal, and glass. A red bin is reserved for sanitary waste, such as used diapers and sanitary napkins, which must be securely wrapped before disposal. Lastly, a black bin will be used for hazardous household waste, including batteries, light bulbs, electronic waste, expired medications, and chemicals.
During door-to-door collection, battery-operated vehicles will be equipped with containers in the same four colors to ensure proper segregation. Sanitation workers across all 200 wards have been instructed to collect only waste that has been correctly sorted at the source.
This order follows a significant awareness campaign launched in southern Chennai. On August 22, the GCC initiated a 40-day campaign titled “Segregate Waste – Save Tomorrow,” which involved educating residents about the importance of waste segregation. Initially, the campaign reached 1,000 households in each of five zones, providing families with bags to separate non-biodegradable waste. The plan is to gradually extend this initiative to 50,000 households across all five zones.
Officials state that proper segregation at the household and institutional levels will enhance the recovery of recyclable materials, facilitate composting of organic waste, and improve overall processing efficiency. This approach will also alleviate pressure on Chennai’s dumping grounds and prevent hazardous waste from contaminating general waste.
The GCC is urging residents, institutions, and businesses to cooperate with sanitation workers and adhere to the color-coded system. Those who fail to comply may face fines or other penalties.
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