Procedure for Authorization under Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026

Anamika Rathore

Anamika Rathore

Published on: Mar 6, 2026

Shatakshi Sharma

Updated on: Mar 6, 2026

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INTRODUCTION

The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, have been notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in exercise of the powers conferred under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to ensure the environmentally sound management of solid waste across the country. Under the 2026 Rules, it is mandatory that no local authority, operator, concessionaire, or any other authorised agency shall establish, operate, or maintain a solid waste processing facility, waste-to-energy plant, Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) unit, or sanitary landfill without first obtaining prior authorisation from the concerned State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committee (PCC), as applicable. This requirement ensures regulatory oversight, adherence to prescribed environmental standards, and accountability in the management of solid waste.

Applicability Provisions

Sections 3, 6 and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Rules 13, 14, and 41 of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026

Mandatory Requirement

The local body or an operator of a facility designated by the local body proposing to set up waste to energy plant, which has a calorific value of fifteen hundred (1500) Kcal per kg or more, shall submit an application in Form I to the State Pollution Control Board, as the case may be, for authorisation under the rules.

The State Pollution Control Board, on receiving such application for setting up of waste to energy facility, shall examine the same and grant permission within sixty(60) days in Form II to the local body or an operator of a facility or any other agency authorised by local body stipulating compliance criteria and environmental standards as specified in Schedules II and III including other conditions.

Procedure for Obtaining Authorisation

Submission of Application – Local Body or designated operator shall:

• Submit the application in Form I to the concerned SPCB/PCC.
• Application shall be made before the establishment or operation of Waste Processing Facility, Waste-to-Energy Plant, Refused-derived fuel (RDF) Plant, Sanitary Landfill

Documents to be attached

• Detailed Project Report
• Land ownership/lease documents
• Environmental safeguards plan
• Waste management plan
• Technology details
• Compliance with CPCB standards

Scrutiny and Examination

Upon receipt of application:

• SPCB/PCC examines technical and environmental compliance.
• May conduct site inspection.
• May seek clarification or additional documents.
• Verifies compliance with calorific value norms (≥1500 Kcal/kg for WtE feedstock).

Issuance of Authorisation- If the application meets the required standards and documentation, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) shall issue the authorisation within sixty (60) days using Form II, permitting the local authority or operator to proceed with the facility’s establishment and operation.

Post-Authorisation Registration

After the grant of authorisation, the operator shall:

• Register on the Centralised Online Portal
• Begin mandatory reporting obligations
• Submit periodic returns as prescribed

Renewal of Authorisation

1. Authorisation is valid for five (5) years and shall be renewed before expiry.
2. The renewal application is scrutinised to verify that the applicant has complied with all relevant rules, conditions and environmental standards.
3. The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committee (PCC) may refuse to renew the authorisation, but only after:
   • Giving the applicant adequate opportunity to be heard and
   • Recording the reasons for refusal in writing.