Waste Management Rules and Regulations

Effective waste management is a cornerstone of sustainable development and environmental protection. This chapter comprehensively outlines the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern waste generation, handling, treatment, and disposal at national and international levels. Emphasis is placed on key waste categories—municipal solid waste, biomedical waste, hazardous waste, e-waste, plastic waste, and construction and demolition waste. The chapter explores India's Waste Management Rules (2016 and amendments), their implementation mechanisms, compliance challenges, and global best practices. It also provides comparative insights from the European Union, the United States, and other major economies, offering a roadmap for harmonizing local policies with global standards. This synthesis of legal, administrative, and practical aspects of waste governance makes the chapter essential for professionals, policymakers, and researchers working in environmental sciences, waste technology, and sustainability domains.