Glossary: SWM 2026 Terminology

A. Generators & Entities

Term	Definition
**Bulk Waste Generator (BWG)**	Any entity (Building, Hotel, Campus) that generates more than **100kg of waste per day** OR covers an area > 5,000 sq. meters. BWGs must process their own wet waste. Read More.
**Street Vendor**	A person without a permanent shop who sells goods/food. They must have a personal bin and cannot litter public spaces.
**Waste Generator**	Every person or group that produces waste. This includes households, offices, and event organizers.
**RWA**	**Resident Welfare Association**. The legal body representing a housing society, responsible for enforcing segregation rules.

B. Waste Categories

Term	Definition
**Biodegradable Waste**	Organic material that can rot/decompose naturally. Includes food scraps, fruit peels, garden trimmings, and meat. (Goes in the **Green Bin**).
**Non-Biodegradable Waste**	Materials that do not rot. Includes plastic, metal, glass, and paper. Also known as "Dry Waste". (Goes in the **Blue Bin**).
**Domestic Hazardous Waste**	Household items that are toxic or dangerous. Includes paint cans, pesticide bottles, CFL bulbs, tube lights, and used batteries. (Goes in the **Red/Black Bin**).
**Sanitary Waste**	Soiled nappies, diapers, tampons, sanitary pads, and blood-soaked cotton. (Goes in the **Yellow Bin/Bag**).
**Inert Waste**	Waste that is neither chemically nor biologically active, such as construction debris (C&D waste) or street sweepings.
**Legacy Waste**	Old waste that has been dumped in landfills for years and needs to be "bio-mined" or cleared.

C. Technical Processes

Term	Definition
**Bio-methanation**	A process where wet waste is digested by bacteria in the absence of oxygen to produce **Biogas** (Fuel) and **Manure**.
**Composting**	A controlled process involving microorganisms to decompose organic waste into humus/manure in the presence of oxygen (Aerobic).
**Incineration**	Burning waste at very high temperatures to reduce its volume and generate electricity (Waste-to-Energy).
**Leachate**	The black, toxic liquid that oozes out of garbage dumps. It pollutes groundwater if not treated.
**Material Recovery Facility (MRF)**	A specialized plant where Dry Waste is sorted into categories (Paper, Plastic types, Metal) for recycling.
**Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF)**	Fuel produced by shredding and dehydrating non-recyclable dry waste (like multi-layered plastic). Used in cement kilns and power plants.
**Tipping Fee**	The fee a waste generator pays to the municipality or vendor to collect and dispose of their waste.

D. Legal Concepts

Term	Definition
**Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)**	The legal obligation of manufacturers (like Coca-Cola or Amazon) to collect and recycle the plastic packaging they introduce into the market.
**Polluter Pays Principle**	The rule that whoever generates the waste (or pollution) must pay for the damage caused or the cost of cleaning it up.
**Source Segregation**	Separating waste into streams (Wet, Dry, Sanitary) at the point of generation (your kitchen), rather than at the dump.
**Authorization**	Official permission granted by the **State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)** to an agency to collect, transport, or process waste.

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Related Pages:

• Segregation Guide
• Bulk Generator Rules