Waste Segregation: All you need to Know

Waste segregation at source can reduce up to 250 tonnes of dump from entering into landfills.

Waste segregation can be defined as the process of identifying, classifying,dividing and sorting of garbage and waste products in an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle materials.

In order to segregate waste appropriately, it is important to correctly identify the type waste that is generated. For the purposes of waste segregation at source, waste is identified and classified into the following categories depending on their biological, physical and chemical properties:

Dry Waste – Refers to all items that are not considered wet/soiled items. This includes both recyclable and non-recyclable materials. Dry waste includes items such as bottles, cans, clothing, plastic, wood, glass, metals and paper.

Wet Waste – Refers to all items that are organic like food items, soiled food wrappers, hygiene products, yard waste, tissues and paper towels, as well as any other soiled item that would contaminate the recyclables.

Sanitary Waste – Refers to all liquid or solid waste originating solely from humans and human activities. (Can also include items from medical waste)

Hazardous Household Waste – Refers to all household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients, other than used oil.

E-Waste – Refers to all kinds of electronic waste.

Hazardous Waste – Refers to all items, products and by-products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients.

Inert Waste – Refers to waste items that are neither chemically or biologically reactive nor decompose easily.

Significance of Waste Segregation

Waste segregation is critical because of the fact that certain types of wastes can be hazardous and can contaminate the environment if not managed correctly. (Some of these types of waste may also have the potential to cause disease or get into water supplies or contaminate the land with different types of leachates.)

When waste is unsegregated, it may get contaminated with different types of waste being stored together. Such waste cannot be treated or managed and most of the time end up being dumped into local dump yards or landfills. With waste segregation, management of different types of wastes becomes possible. This directly results in reduced amounts of waste being dumped at dump yards or landfills.

Waste Segregation is always step one for all types of waste management solutions that may be implemented either on individual level or community level.

Simple Ways to Practice Waste Segregation at Home and Office

Proper waste segregation is essential for improving recycling efficiency, reducing pollution, and supporting sustainable practices. Whether you’re at home or in the office, following these simple methods can make a significant difference, especially in the context of growing environmental awareness and initiatives like the plastic ban in India.

Use Separate Bins

Set up clearly labeled bins for different types of waste—organic, recyclable, and non-recyclable. This ensures that plastic, metal, and other materials are properly sorted.

Educate Everyone

Raise awareness among family members, roommates, or colleagues about the need for waste segregation, particularly in urban areas like Mumbai, where waste generation is high. Make it a part of your routine by conducting small info sessions or putting up signs.

Minimize Contamination

Keep your waste clean and dry. Rinse food containers and bottles before placing them in recycling bins. This prevents contamination and improves the quality of recyclable materials, especially important in managing single use plastic ban in India initiatives.

Composting

Separate kitchen and garden waste for composting. Organic compost is one of the best natural fertilizers and helps reduce the load on municipal waste systems.

Handle Recyclables Properly

Rinse and flatten boxes, bottles, and cans. This makes handling and transporting recyclables more efficient and aligns with top recycling practices.

Hazardous Waste

Store hazardous waste like batteries, chemicals, and old medicines in a designated, labeled container. In Mumbai and other major cities in India, there are specific collection points for safe disposal.

Electronic Waste

Old phones, chargers, and laptops fall under e-waste. Many companies and local bodies run e-waste collection drives in support of the elimination of single use plastics and overall environmental cleanup.

Check Local Regulations

Different municipalities have specific guidelines. Stay updated with your local waste management authority’s instructions, especially as enforcement of ban single use plastic laws becomes stricter across India.

Reduce and Reuse

Before throwing something away, consider if it can be reused. Avoid single-use products, aligning with the single use plastic ban in India policies and contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.

Promote Community Initiatives

Get your community or workplace involved in waste segregation and environmental programs. Group efforts often lead to the best results and encourage others to follow suit.

Technologies Developed for Waste Segregation

Modern technology is playing a top role in making waste segregation more efficient. These innovations are especially relevant in light of movements such as the plastic ban in India.

Automated Sorting Systems

Using robotics, sensors, and conveyor belts, these systems can distinguish between plastic, paper, metal, and glass. They help reduce human effort while improving sorting accuracy.

Optical Sorting Technology

Advanced optical sorters use light and imaging sensors to separate materials like glass and various single types of plastics.

Magnetic Separators

Used to extract metals from waste streams, magnetic separators are a key part of recycling processes in cities like Mumbai.

Mobile Apps and QR Codes

Apps that scan QR codes on packaging can guide users on proper waste disposal methods, especially helpful where ban single use plastic campaigns are active.

Chemical Analysis

Innovative facilities in India now use chemical detection to isolate toxic or hazardous materials, ensuring they don’t contaminate recyclables or organic waste.

As governments and citizens push for the elimination of single use plastics, integrating waste segregation practices and embracing technology are critical steps. With the single use plastic ban in India becoming more widespread and awareness increasing in urban centers like Mumbai, every effort, at home or at the office counts.

Color Codes for Bins

For ease of waste segregation, the disposal bins are color coded.

Type of WasteColor of Bin
Wet WasteGreen
Dry WasteBlue
Sanitary WasteRed
E-WasteBlack or Grey
Hazardous WasteBlack

Conclusion 

Effective waste segregation is essential for protecting the environment, conserving resources, and supporting sustainable living. By adopting simple practices and leveraging modern technology, individuals and communities can significantly reduce landfill waste. At Green Sutra, we are committed to promoting responsible waste management and empowering everyone to make greener, smarter choices every day.

Placement of Bins for Waste Segregation at Source

The best way to segregate waste is to segregate it at source. To enable this, it is always recommended to place the right type of bin in the respective area.

AreasWet WasteDry WasteSanitary WasteE-WasteHazardous Waste
Bedroom
Kitchen
Toilets
Living Room
Dinning Room
Common Areas
Collection Area

List of items and the category to segregate them by

Here is a list of waste items that have been generated by almost everyone at one point or the other.

Waste ItemWaste Category
Vegetable PeelsWet Waste
Fruit PeelsWet Waste
Rotten VegetablesWet Waste
Rotten FruitsWet Waste
Left over foodWet Waste
Mango SeedsWet Waste
Used Tea BagsWet Waste
Used Coffee Powder from FilterWet Waste
Egg ShellsWet Waste
Rotten EggsWet Waste
Coconut ShellsWet Waste
Tender Coconut ShellsWet Waste
Used Leaves & Flowers
from Puja
Wet Waste
Spoiled SpicesWet Waste
Floor Sweeping DustWet Waste
Meat & Non-Veg Food RemainsWet Waste
BonesWet Waste
Mop StickDry Waste
Used Mop ClothDry Waste
Toilet Cleaning BrushDry Waste
Brush & Scrubs used for CleaningDry Waste
Used & Dirty Floor MatsDry Waste
Bottles & Container of PesticidesDry Waste
Mosquito Repellent Refill BottlesHazardous Household Waste
Mosquito Repellent MatsHazardous Household Waste
Used OdonilHazardous Household Waste
Used Sanitary PadsSanitary Waste
Used Sanitary ClothsSanitary Waste
Used CondomsSanitary Waste
Used Syringes'Sanitary Waste
Used Cotton & BandageSanitary Waste
Used Tooth BrushDry Waste
Soap CoversDry Waste
Chocolate WrappersDry Waste
Butter Paper (Wrapping for Butter)Dry Waste
Milk CoversDry Waste
Ghee/Oil PacketsDry Waste
Batter PacketsDry Waste
Oil CansDry Waste
Food PackagingsWet Waste
Expired Food PackagesDry Waste
Expired MedicinesHazardous Household Waste
Tablets CoversHazardous Household Waste
Medicine Syrup BottleHazardous Household Waste
Injection BottlesHazardous Household Waste
Other Medicinal DiscardsHazardous Household Waste
Finger or Toe NailsWet Waste
Any piece of cloth, paper
stained with blood or
any other medical or
sanitary waste
Sanitary Waste
NewspaperDry Waste
Used Paper PiecesDry Waste
Old PostsDry Waste
Broken Stationary
(Pen, Pencil,Eraser)
Dry Waste
Used RazorDry Waste
Used Razor BladesDry Waste
Empty Shampoo
Bottle
Dry Waste
Empty Perfume
Bottle
Dry Waste
HairWet Waste
Left Over Pet
Food
Wet Waste
ThermocolDry Waste
BatteriesE-Waste
CD'sE-Waste
CFL, Tube LightHazardous Household Waste
Printer CartridgesE-Waste
Broken Watch ElectronicsE-Waste
Broken
Thermometer
Hazardous Household Waste
DiapersSanitary Waste
Empty Bottles of
Floor & Toilet
Cleaners
Hazardous Household Waste
Button CellsE-Waste
Broken GlassDry Waste
Broken Household
Plastic Items
Dry Waste
Aluminium CansDry Waste
Used Pieces of
Aluminium Foils
Dry Waste
Old BroomsDry Waste
Garden LeavesWet Waste
WeedsWet Waste
Dried FlowersWet Waste
Tissue PaperDry Waste
Tissue Paper
(used for Medical or Sanitary Purposes)
Sanitary Waste
Used Cooking OilHazardous Household Waste
Thermocol Balls
from Bean Bags
Dry Waste
Small Broken ToysDry Waste
Bottles or Cans of Mosquito SpraysHazardous Household Waste
Used bottles, tubes, cans of shaving creamDry Waste
FlouroscentsHazardous Household Waste
Button CellsHazardous Household Waste
Old PaintsHazardous Household Waste
Used OilsWet Waste
LeatherDry Waste
RexineDry Waste
FurnitureDry Waste
Bottles or Cans of Insecticide SpraysHazardous Household Waste
Bottles or Cans of Room FreshnersHazardous Household Waste
Used bottles, tubes, cans of DeodrantDry Waste
Used bottles, tubes, cans of Creams, etcDry Waste
Broken/Damaged Computer PeripheralsE-Waste
Broken/Damaged
Television
E-Waste
Broken/Damaged RadiosE-Waste

Government Directives on Waste Segregation

Several government departments, pollution control boards and the National Green Tribunal have made Waste Segregation at Source Mandatory across the country in efforts to promote decentralized waste management.

Summary
Waste Segregation: All you need to Know
Article Name
Waste Segregation: All you need to Know
Description
Waste segregation at source is mandatory as it can reduce up to 250 metric tonnes of dump from entering into dumpyards or landfills.
Author
Publisher Name
GreenSutra
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Team GreenSutra®
Team GreenSutra®
https://greensutra.in

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