Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Press Conference on Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 held in Gangtok
Posted On:
03 OCT 2026 4:40PM by PIB Gangtok
The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Sikkim, in collaboration with the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Gangtok, organized a press conference today on the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. The Rules have been notified by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and have come into effect from 1st April, 2026.
Addressing the media, Member Secretary, SPCB Sikkim, Shri N. W. Tamang, said that the Board is committed to ensuring timely and effective implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 in the State.
He highlighted that one of the key changes under the new Rules is the strengthening of source segregation. Under the Rules, waste generators are required to segregate waste into four distinct streams - Wet Waste, Dry Waste, Sanitary Waste and Special Care Waste. He emphasized that proper segregation at source is essential for efficient collection, processing and scientific disposal.
Shri Tamang said that implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 is not the responsibility of the Pollution Control Board alone, but requires coordinated action by every household, commercial establishment, institution, school, government office, Bulk Waste Generator, waste worker and Local Body. He appealed to every citizen of Sikkim to follow three basic principles: “SEGREGATE – HAND OVER – DO NOT LITTER”. He urged citizens to segregate waste at source and hand it over through the authorized collection system. He further stressed that waste must not be burnt, buried, dumped or littered on streets, in open public spaces, drains or water bodies.
The Member Secretary also emphasized that waste management does not end with collection. The ultimate objective is to ensure that waste is scientifically collected, transported, processed, recovered and disposed of with minimum environmental impact. He called for active public participation and collective responsibility to make the implementation of the new Rules effective and sustainable across Sikkim.
The press conference was attended by Shri Jigme Wangchuk Bhutia, State Mission Director SBM (Urban) and Special Secretary, Urban Development Department; Ms. Koshi Kapil, State Mission Director SBM (Grameen) and Special Secretary, Rural Development Department; Smt. Kusum Gurung, SFS, Additional Director, SPCB, along with other senior officials of SPCB, Sikkim.
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MPS/SK
(Release ID: 2319119)
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