AI tracking, GIS monitoring now part of Solid Waste Management in Telangana

HYDERABAD: The Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, which came into force on April 1, mandate strict four-stream waste segregation at source and introduce enhanced accountability measures to improve recycling and reduce landfill dependence.

Replacing the 2016 framework, the new rules require segregation of waste into wet, dry, sanitary and special care categories, supported by a compulsory four-bin system. They also introduce digital waste tracking and enforce the ‘polluter pays’ principle through penalties.