Vinay Kumar
Bengaluru: Hundreds of apartment complexes in Bengaluru are still unable to understand garbage collection norms for bulk waste generators due to a high fog index surrounding the policy, uncertainty over pricing and limited vendor choices.Even a month after collection of property tax began in the new financial year and solid waste management (SWM) user fees were introduced, most apartment complexes are running into unending wrinkles in the policy.A key grievance is classification. Under existing rules, entities generating more than 100kg of waste per day are categorised as bulk waste generators — a bracket that includes apartment complexes alongside malls, cinema theatres, hotels and other commercial establishments.Many apartment residents called it fundamentally unfair. Sandeepa Gunteeddy, a resident of an apartment complex, said, “Unlike malls or other commercial spaces, apartments do not generate revenue. Yet, the rates are the same for both of us.”Currently, only four empanelled vendors authorised by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management (BSWML) are available across all five city corporations. Bulk waste generators are expected to either process waste in-situ, hand it over to empanelled vendors or opt for waste collection by BSWML directly.Residents said the major confusion is with pricing. BSWML has capped the maximum charge for unsegregated wet waste at Rs 12 per kg. Beyond this, vendors and apartment associations are expected to negotiate rates.A resident from an apartment complex under East City Corporation said, “Why are we being charged more? There is no guarantee vendors will not exploit pricing since there is barely any competition. Vendors are now asking Rs 2 to Rs 4 for dry waste. In fact, if we sell the same dry waste to scrap shops, we make money in return.”Residents argued the new system overlooks the fact that many apartment complexes have been investing in segregation and responsible waste disposal for years.Prabhu Patil, of Rohan Vasantha Apartments, told TOI, “The new SWM rules effective from April 2026 are creating considerable concern among bulk waste generators. We’ve been practising 100% waste segregation for the past 10 years and disposing of waste through empanelled vendors responsibly. The sudden increase in costs — nearly 3-4 times the existing charges — along with the availability of only a single empanelled vendor for the East zone, has become a major concern. We request BSWML authorities to provide more time, vendor options and ensure reasonable, competitive pricing so citizens can better understand, accept and proactively adopt these new rules.”Another resident from an apartment in North City Corporation told TOI, “We are being penalised for no fault of ours. Waste collection is being threatened over OWC (organic waste collector) certification, even though we already have a functional in-situ composting system and the certification is delayed because BSWML officials are unable to visit due to Census work. At the same time, there are no clear waste segregation guidelines — collectors are even refusing tender coconut shells as garden waste. Right now, there is complete confusion and chaos around the implementation of the new SWM rules.”On the property tax portal for bulk waste generators, BSWML had introduced an option allowing apartments to choose direct waste collection in cases where in-situ processing or empanelled vendors was not feasible.While several apartment residents saw this as a possible solution, officials have now clarified the option may not become operational unless all residents within an apartment complex opt for the same model.During a recent meeting with apartment residents, BSWML officials clarified the agency cannot collect waste from only selected flats within a residential complex.“Only once all the flats in an apartment select the BSWML collection option and pay taxes accordingly can we begin the service. We cannot come and collect waste from only selected flats who opt for this option. If all the flats select the same option, then we will surely provide the service,” a BSWML official confirmed during the meeting.
