National Solid Waste Management Policy 2016

The National Solid Waste Management Policy (DPSPN) and its 2016 amendments aimsto establish an integrated, sustainable solid waste management system prioritizing environmental conservation and public health. Emphasizing the 3R principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), it focuses on legal frameworks, privatization of waste management, technological utilization, and public education.
As of the latest update, only Pillar 3 of the 2006 policy has been fully enacted, leading to an increase in the national recycling rate and the enforcement of mandatory waste separation at the source since June 2016. The 2016 amendments maintained the core principles while introducing new initiatives such as comprehensive waste management strategies, innovative approaches to promote 3R activities, and a heightened emphasis on waste-to-energy technologies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from waste management processes.