Biomedical waste (BMW) management is more than a hygiene protocol—it's a legal obligation. There is an alarming non-compliance in key areas such as waste segregation, labelling, barcoding, transport, and documentation. With the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) enforcing stringent rules under the BMW Management Rules 2016, such lapses not only endanger public health but also risk punitive action, including fines and closure of facilities.
There are several recurring violations, such as mixing of general and infectious waste, improper use of color-coded bins, lack of barcoding and GPS tracking during waste transport, and failure to maintain daily waste logs. Under CPCB guidelines, any facility found in breach can be fined up to ₹1 lakh and subjected to temporary or permanent closure. Moreover, waste handlers not trained in standard protocols further compound the risk, potentially…
