Local bodies to train garbage collectors in solid waste mgmt

Urban local bodies and gram panchayats will now have to train garbage collectors in solid waste management and ensure dry leaves are not burned, according to new rules framed by the Environment Ministry.

Under the new Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, released by the Ministry recently, the urban local authorities and panchayats will also prepare a plan for managing solid refuse within six months apart from arranging for door-to-door collection of such segregated waste.

The local authorities, under the new rules, will have to frame by-laws and prescribe criteria for levying spot fines for littering. “The local authorities and panchayats of census towns and urban agglomerations will direct street sweepers not to burn tree leaves collected from street sweeping and store them separately and handover to waste collectors or agency authorized by local authority.

“They will provide training on solid waste management to waste pickers and waste collectors,” according to the new rules.

The authorities will direct waste generators not to litter and to segregate waste at source before handing over to waste pickers while they have to set up material recovery or secondary storage facilities and provide access to waste pickers and recyclers for its collection.