In a significant achievement for urban waste management, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has successfully collected 586.5 metric tonnes of sanitary and hazardous waste from approximately 7 lakh households within just six months of launching its special collection drive.
Massive Scale of Mumbai's Waste Challenge
According to the latest data released by the civic body, Mumbai generates an astonishing 7,000-8,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, with sanitary and hazardous materials accounting for approximately 10% of this total, translating to 70-80 metric tonnes each day. The special drive, which began in May 2025, has specifically targeted this challenging segment of municipal waste.
The collection initiative has reached a substantial population of 28 lakh people across the metropolitan area, with the system currently processing about 6 metric tonnes of specialized waste per day. The program focuses on residential buildings and commercial establishments that have formally registered with the BMC for this service.
How the Special Collection System Works
Kiran Dighavkar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, explained the operational details of the innovative program. "We have deployed dedicated waste collection vehicles that are collecting hazardous waste items from households and commercial establishments," Dighavkar stated. "Upon registration, the residents get a time slot when these vehicles come and pick up the waste. We are not using the usual dumpers so as to ensure that there is proper segregation."
The official clarified that while the program currently remains voluntary, the long-term vision involves making it compulsory for all citizens. "This is not a compulsory drive so far, because we are still examining our system and countering hiccups. But in the long run, we aim to make it compulsory for citizens," he added, indicating the BMC's commitment to expanding the initiative.
Types of Waste and Geographic Distribution
The specialized collection drive encompasses a wide range of hazardous materials including sanitary napkins, diapers, tampons, condoms, contaminated cotton, bandages, nails, expired medication, needles, razors, and waste generated from beauty parlours and PPE kits.
Geographic analysis of the collected waste reveals interesting patterns. Between May 1 and October 31, 2025, the western suburb of Goregaon contributed the highest volume at 46 metric tonnes, followed closely by Ghatkopar with 43 metric tonnes and Malad (East) with 37 metric tonnes. Other significant contributors included Sandhurst Road, Dongri (21 MT) and Mankhurd Govandi areas (10 MT).
The collection momentum has shown consistent growth, with recent months demonstrating increased participation. Between August and October 2025 alone, approximately 400 metric tonnes of waste was collected, with October recording the highest monthly collection at 151 metric tonnes, followed by September (116 MT) and August (133 MT).
Processing and Awareness Initiatives
The collected waste items are being handled through specialized protocols, using yellow-coloured bags for identification and dispatched to plasma-based processing units for safe and scientific disposal. This approach represents a significant upgrade from conventional waste management practices.
To bolster public participation and awareness, the BMC has initiated direct outreach programs. Civic teams are personally visiting registered establishments to educate residents about proper waste segregation practices and the importance of the specialized collection system.
This comprehensive approach to handling sanitary and hazardous waste marks a crucial step forward in Mumbai's waste management ecosystem, potentially serving as a model for other Indian cities grappling with similar urban environmental challenges.
