Source Segregation of Waste
Environment & Ecology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Highlights a critical operational aspect of environmental governance, citizen responsibility, and the practical challenges and benefits of implementing sustainable waste management practices.
Source segregation is the practice of separating different types of waste (e.g., wet, dry, hazardous) at the point of generation, typically by households and bulk waste generators. It is a foundational step for effective solid waste management, enabling better recycling, composting, and reduced landfill burden.
Facts & tables
- Mandate
- The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, make source segregation mandatory for all waste generators.
- Benefits
- Leads to cleaner recyclable materials, reduces the processing load on ULBs, improves the quality of compost, and enhances resource recovery.
- Challenges
- Requires significant behavioral modification campaigns, sustained public participation, and adequate infrastructure for separate collection.
- Economic Impact
- Reduces operational costs for ULBs by minimizing manual separation and increasing revenue from recyclables.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Waste Management & Water Pollution |
| Conceptual area | Environmental Law & Policy |
| Conceptual area | Welfare Schemes & Social Policies |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) | Facilitates and enforces segregation |
| Citizens/Waste Generators | Primary implementers of segregation |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- Separating waste at generation point (wet, dry, hazardous).
- Mandatory under SWM Rules, 2026.
- Benefits: better recycling, composting, reduced landfill.
- Challenges: public awareness, behavioral change, collection infrastructure.
- Reduces ULB costs and increases resource value.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2024 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2019 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2015 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2013 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
-
Waste Management & Water Pollution
Conceptual area
-
Environmental Law & Policy
Conceptual area
-
Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2013
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2015
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2019
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2024
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
It’s time for Tamil Nadu to segregate solid waste at source
Source segregation is the mandatory separation of waste at its origin, crucial for efficient SWM by improving recycling and composting, though it faces challenges in public compliance and infrastructure.
See also
Past papers
2013–2025 · 8 questions
In the news
It’s time for Tamil Nadu to segregate solid waste at source
Source segregation is the mandatory separation of waste at its origin, crucial for efficient SWM by improving recycling and composting, though it faces challenges in public compliance and infrastructure.
Try these PYQs
As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of the following statements is correct?
* Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 mandate the segregation of waste into three categories - biodegradables, dry recyclables (plastic, paper, metal, etc.), and domestic hazardous waste (diapers, napkins, etc.). * The SWM Rules, 2016 apply not just to urban areas but also to urban local bodies, notified areas, census towns, all industrial townships, special economic zones, State and Central government organisations, places of pilgrimage, religious and historical importance. * There is no restriction on moving waste from one district to another. Waste generators can transport waste as needed for disposal, treatment, or processing. * Waste processing facilities will have to be set up by all local bodies having a population of 1 million or more within two years. * For census towns with a population below 1 million or all local bodies having a population of 0.5 million or more, common, or stand-alone sanitary landfills will have to be set up in three years. * Also, common, or regional sanitary landfills to be set up by all local bodies and census towns with a population under 0.5 million will have to be completed in three years.
With reference to the role of biofilters in Recirculating Aquaculture System, consider the following statements:
1. Biofilters provide waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed.
2. Biofilters convert ammonia present in fish waste to nitrate.
3. Biofilters increase phosphorus as nutrient for fish in water.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
* Statement 1 is correct: Role of Biofilters in Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS): Biofilters provide waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed. Biofilters in a RAS help in waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed and other organic matter from the water. The biofilter media provide a surface for beneficial bacteria to grow, which help in breaking down and removing these wastes. * Statement 2 is correct: Biofilters convert ammonia present in fish waste to nitrate. One of the primary functions of biofilters in a RAS is to convert toxic ammonia (produced from fish waste) into less harmful nitrate. Beneficial bacteria in the biofilter media perform nitrification, a process where ammonia is first converted to nitrite and then further converted to nitrate. * Statement 3 is incorrect: Biofilters do not increase phosphorus as a nutrient for fish in the water. Their primary role is to remove wastes and convert ammonia to nitrate. Phosphorus levels in the water are managed through other means, such as fish feed formulation and water quality management. Therefore, option (B) is the correct answer.
Consider the following materials:
1. Agricultural residues
2. Corn grain
3. Wastewater treatment sludge
4. Wood mill waste
Which of the above can be used as feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel ?
* Agricultural residues: These include materials like crop stalks, husks, and leaves. They are a viable source of biomass that can be converted into biofuels, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). * Corn grain: Corn grain is a source of sugars that can be fermented to produce ethanol, a biofuel. While ethanol is primarily used in gasoline blends, it can also be further processed into SAF. * Wastewater treatment sludge: This sludge is rich in organic matter. Through processes like anaerobic digestion, it can produce biogas, which can be further converted into SAF. * Wood mill waste: This includes sawdust, wood chips, and bark. These lignocellulosic materials can be converted into biofuels through various thermochemical or biochemical processes, ultimately leading to SAF production. Therefore, all four materials can be used as feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
With reference to bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider the following statements:
1. The decomposition of human waste in the bio-toilets is initiated by a fungal inoculum.
2. Ammonia and water vapour are the only end products in this decomposition which are released into the atmosphere.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: The bio-toilets actually utilize bacteria, not fungi, to decompose human waste. These bacteria are anaerobic, meaning they function in an oxygen-free environment within the bio-digester tank. Statement 2 is incorrect: The end products of decomposition in the bio-toilets are not just ammonia and water vapor. The process generates a combination of:
* Treated water: This water undergoes chlorination before being released. * Methane: This gas is released in small amounts and vents into the atmosphere. * Sludge: A minimal amount of solid residue remains after decomposition. Therefore, the correct answer is None of the above.
Due to improper/indiscriminate disposal of old and used computers or their parts, which of the following are released into the environment as e-waste?
1. Beryllium
2. Cadmium
3. Chromium
4. Heptachlor
5. Mercury
6. Lead
7. Plutonium
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Out of the listed elements, the following are released into the environment due to improper e-waste disposal: 1. Beryllium
2. Cadmium
3. Chromium
5. Mercury
6. Lead Here's why these elements are found in e-waste and why the others are not: Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, and Lead: These are all heavy metals commonly used in various electronic components like circuit boards, batteries, and monitors. Improper disposal of e-waste can cause these toxic materials to leach into the soil and water, posing environmental and health risks. Heptachlor: This is an organic compound historically used as an insecticide. While it may have been present in some older electronic equipment, it's not a typical component of modern electronics and wouldn't be a major concern in e-waste disposal. Plutonium: This is a radioactive element primarily used in nuclear weapons and reactors. It's not a component of electronic devices and wouldn't be present in e-waste. So, the answer should not contain 4 and 7.
Show 3 more PYQs
Consider the following statements:
Statement I:
Activated carbon is a good and an attractive tool to remove pollutants from effluent streams and to remediate contaminants from various industries.
Statement II:
Activated carbon exhibits a large surface area and a strong potential for adsorbing heavy metals.
Statement III:
Activated carbon can be easily synthesized from environmental wastes with high carbon content.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Activated carbon is widely used to clean pollutants because of its unique properties and sustainable production methods. ✅ Statement I: Correct. Activated carbon effectively removes pollutants from industrial effluents due to its high adsorption capacity. It’s commonly used in water treatment and pollution control. ✅Statement II: Correct. This is because activated carbon has an extremely large surface area, created by its porous structure, allowing it to trap heavy metals and other contaminants efficiently. ✅ Statement III: Correct. Moreover, activated carbon can be produced easily and cost-effectively from carbon-rich wastes like coconut shells, rice husks, and other agricultural residues, making it an eco-friendly option. Thus, both Statement II and Statement III are correct, and together they explain why Statement I is true.
Consider the following statements:
1. Carbon fibres are used in the manufacture of components used in automobiles and aircrafts.
2. Carbon fibres once used cannot be recycled.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
* Carbon fibres are highly valued for their unique properties like strength, lightness, and stiffness. They are widely used in the manufacturing of various components in automobiles and aircraft to reduce weight and improve performance. * Carbon Fiber Recycling: While traditional carbon fibre recycling methods were limited, advancements are being made in this field. Here are some possibilities 1. Mechanical recycling - This process breaks down carbon fibres into smaller pieces for use in applications where their original form is not necessary. 2. Chemical recycling -This method dissolves the resin holding the fibres together, potentially allowing the extraction of reusable carbon fibres. 3. Thermal recycling - High temperatures are used to convert the resin into usable materials while recovering the carbon fibres. * These recycling technologies are still evolving, but they offer a more sustainable approach to using carbon fibres. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
Consider the following statements:
Statement I:
Circular economy reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases.
Statement II:
Circular economy reduces the use of raw materials as inputs.
Statement III:
Circular economy reduces wastage in the production process.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
A circular economy focuses on minimizing waste, reusing resources, and improving efficiency, all of which help lower greenhouse gas emissions and conserve raw materials. ✅ Statement I: Correct By reducing waste and energy use, the circular economy helps cut greenhouse gas emissions. ✅ Statement II: Correct It reduces the need for raw materials through reuse, recycling, and product life extension. ✅ Statement III: Correct It also lowers production waste using efficient and sustainable design and processes.