Rules 7 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rules 7 to 10 cover the working chain of solid waste after the generator. Rule 7 binds the operator of a processing facility, rule 8 the local body or its agency that collects and transports, rule 9 the entity that sorts at a material recovery facility, and rule 10 the EBWGR certificate that links a bulk waste generator's obligation to what the local body actually collected and processed.
These Rules are current as amended up to their notification on 27 January 2026 (S.O. 388(E), in force 1 April 2026); no amendment found to 3 October 2026. Later amendments, CPCB guidelines and notifications should be checked. If you operate or contract with a processing facility, collection agency or material recovery facility, our compliance documentation team can help you assemble the registration and return records.
Operators of processing facilities (wet, dry, sanitary, special care and horticulture waste, including waste-to-energy, CBG, composting and incinerators) must register with the local body on the portal, obtain authorisation from the State Board in Form I, meet Schedules II and III and file quarterly returns by the 15th of the first month of the next quarter and annual returns by 30 June (rule 7). Only the local body generates EBWGR certificates, valid three years (rule 10).
Rule 7: operators of processing facilities
| Clause | Duty |
|---|---|
| (a) | Register with the local body through the portal for wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste, special care waste and horticulture waste processing facilities, including waste to energy, Compressed Bio-Gas plants, composting, incinerators and common bio-medical waste facilities |
| (b) | Ensure treatment standards do not harm health or the environment, and meet Schedules II and III |
| (c) | File quarterly returns by the 15th of the first month of the next quarter and annual returns by 30 June to the local body in Form III, covering quantities received and processed, non-recyclable and non-energy recoverable dry waste and inerts sent to landfills, and compost quality and sale; the local body validates them and the data is published |
| (d) | Give residual waste or inerts to authorised collectors or an agency authorised by the local body |
| (e) | Design and set up the facility per CPCB technical guidelines and the CPHEEO manual |
| (f) | Obtain authorisation by applying in Form I through the local body to the State Board |
| (g) | Operate safely and in an environmentally sound manner per the standards and CPCB and Ministry guidelines |
| (i) | Register biomethanation, CBG and biogas plants on the GOBARDHAN portal and link to the centralised portal |
| (j), (k) | Not deal with any processing facility lacking registration; engage trained manpower |
The authorisation route is explained in rules 38 to 41, and Schedules II and III in the Schedules article.
Rule 8: collection, segregation and transportation
Every local body, concessionaire or third party involved in collection, segregation and transportation shall:
- register on the centralised portal (8(a));
- ensure collection, segregation, transportation and processing are environmentally sound, per CPCB, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and DDWS guidelines (8(b)), and hand collected waste to a registered processing facility (8(c));
- generate EBWGR certificates for bulk waste generators under the scheme in rule 39(38) (8(d)), and for wet and horticulture waste only after the registered processing facility reports the quantity received and processed on the portal (8(e));
- send wet waste to a registered wet waste facility, dry waste to a registered MRF or processor, and sanitary and special care waste to a registered recycler, processor, incinerator, common bio-medical waste facility, secondary storage point or transfer station (8(f));
- file quarterly returns by the 15th of the first month of the next quarter and annual returns by 30 June, with details of each generator served and each facility used (8(g)); and
- keep to measures in 8(h): CPHEEO manual and CPCB guidelines, prevention of spillage, regular collection, vehicles with separate compartments for wet and dry waste and arrangements for sanitary and special care waste, no mixing in transit, protective equipment and training, registration of concessionaires, and tracking devices on fleets in cities with population above 50,000.
Rule 9: material recovery facilities
An entity sorting recyclable from non-recyclable waste, preferably dry waste, shall be registered with the local body (9(1)). It must operate per CPCB and Ministry guidelines and manage hazardous waste under the Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, 2016 (9(2)); channel sorted waste to registered processing or recycling entities (9(3)); report quantities received, sorted and channelised to the local body quarterly by the 15th of the first month of the next quarter (9(4)); not deal with unregistered entities and use trained personnel (9(5), (6)). A registered MRF may act as an uptake point for plastic and other waste processors or obligated entities under separate EPR rules, and as a deposition centre for e-waste, special care waste and sanitary waste (9(7)); the local body fixes the cost of such services (9(8)). EPR rules for plastics are in our PWM series.
Rule 10: EBWGR certificates
| Sub-rule | Content |
|---|---|
| 10(1), (2) | Only the local body generates EBWGR certificates on the portal, after registering there |
| 10(3) | Certificates in kilograms equal the quantity of solid waste collected, transported and sent to registered processors or recyclers by the local body |
| 10(4) | For wet waste, only after the processing facility reports quantity received and processed |
| 10(5) | Transactions are recorded on the portal at annual return time |
| 10(6) | A certificate generated in a year is valid for three years for meeting obligations |
| 10(7) to 10(9) | Cost is finalised per CPCB guidelines in consultation with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and DDWS; the local body collects it from the bulk waste generator and shares it with the concessionaire, the State Board and for infrastructure or audit |
| 10(10) | Non-compliance by an obligated entity attracts environmental compensation |
Who is affected
Operators of composting, biomethanation, waste-to-energy and incineration facilities; local bodies, concessionaires and collection contractors; material recovery facilities; bulk waste generators who buy certificates.
Example
Bio-Cycle Compost Private Limited runs a wet waste plant under a local body contract. It registers with the local body, obtains authorisation in Form I, files its quarterly return by the 15th of the first month of each next quarter and reports the wet waste it received and processed on the portal. Only after that report can the local body issue EBWGR certificates against that waste (rule 10(4)).
Need help with facility or collection registrations?
Each role here has its own registration, return dates and portal reporting. Our compliance documentation team can help you build a calendar and keep the evidence the local body needs to issue certificates.
Key takeaways
- Processing facilities register with the local body, obtain State Board authorisation and file quarterly and annual returns in Form III.
- Collection agencies must keep waste streams separate until they reach the registered facility.
- MRFs register with the local body and report quarterly.
- Only the local body generates EBWGR certificates, equal to the quantity collected and processed, valid three years.
- Wet waste certificates need the processor's report first.
Read next
- Rule 6: duties of bulk waste generators
- Rules 11 to 14: RDF, hilly areas, waste-to-energy and landfills
- Schedules I to IV and the forms
- Waste management company registration: licenses, process and cost
Disclaimer: Based on the environment rules, guidelines and notifications named above as published in the Gazette of India, read with every amendment notified up to 3 October 2026 that the article names (consolidated reading texts from the CPCB 2021 compilation and the Goa State Pollution Control Board 2025 compilation were checked against the amending notifications), as consulted on 3 October 2026. Later amendments, CPCB guidelines, State Board orders and fees should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.