The Central Pollution Control Board (“CPCB”) has notified the Guidelines for Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facilities (“Guidelines”). The Guidelines provides for the criteria for development of new Common Bio-medical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facility (“CBWTF”), duties of an operator of CBWTF. The Guidelines are applicable to all the upcoming, new and existing CBWTFs.

Background:

The Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 (BMWM Rules) restricts an occupier for establishment of on-site or captive bio-medical waste treatment and disposal facility, if a service of CBWTF is available within a distance of 75 KM, as installation of individual treatment facility by health care facility requires comparatively high capital investment. In addition, it requires separate dedicated and trained skilled manpower and infrastructure development for proper operation and maintenance of treatment systems. The concept of CBWTF not only addresses such problems but also prevents proliferation of captive treatment facilities in a particular area. In turn, it reduces the monitoring pressure on regulatory agencies. By running the treatment equipment at CBWTF to its full capacity, the cost of treatment of per kilogram of bio-medical waste gets significantly reduced. Its considerable advantages have made CBWTF popular and proven concept in most part of the world.

Key Highlights:

1. State Pollution Control Board (“SPCB”) or Pollution Control Committee (“PCC”) to identify the coverage area, which require additional treatment facility. SPCBs and PCCs will conduct the gap analysis and based on the gap analysis, action plan for development of new CBWTFs.
2. All CBWTFs are required to submit action plan (in case of closure), to the respective SPCB/PCC.
3. CBWTF might be allowed to be established on a land procured by an entrepreneur in accordance with the location criteria suggested under the Guidelines.
4. In absence of any expression of interest by any proponent, SPCB/PCC will insist health care facilities to form association and to develop its own CBWTF in line with the Guidelines.
5. The operator of CBWTF make an Memorandum of Understanding with the nearest two CBWTF located within the respective State/Union Territory as alternate arrangement ensuring that the bio-medical waste generated is collected, treated and disposed of within 48 hours.
6. The project proponent of the CBWTF is required to obtain ‘Consent to Establishment’ under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Further, the CBWTF Operator is also required to obtain authorization under Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016
7. The CBWTF Operator is also required to obtain authorization for ‘Environmental Clearance (EC)’ from the respective SEIAA.
8. Follow the location criteria before developing CBWTF. A CBWTF must preferably be developed in a notified industrial area without any requirement of buffer zone or can be located at a place reasonably far away from notified residential and sensitive areas and should have a buffer distance of preferably 500 m.
9. The CBWTF can also be developed as an integral part of the Hazardous Waste Treatment Storage and Disposal Facility.
10. Sufficient land will be allocated to the CBWTF to provide all requisite systems which include dedicated space for storage of waste (both treated and untreated), waste treatment equipment, vehicle washing bay, vehicle parking space, ETP, incineration ash storage provision, administrative room, space for DG Set etc. CBWTF must be set up on a plot size of not less than one acre in all the areas
11. A CBWTF located within the respective State/Union Territory might be allowed to cater to healthcare units situated within a radial distance of 75 KM.
12. The CBWTF must have the following treatment facilities:
    1. Incineration/Plasma Pyrolysis;
    2. Autoclaving/Hydroclaving/Microwaving;
    3. Chemical disinfection;
    4. Dry heat sterilization;
    5. Shredder;
    6. Sharp pit/ Encapsulation;
    7. Deep burial;
    8. Non-burn technology;
    9. Vehicle/Containers washing facility; and
    10. Effluent Treatment Plant.
13. CBWTF must have the following infrastructure:
    1. Treatment equipment room;
    2. Main waste storage space;
    3. Treated waste storage room;
    4. Administrative Room;
    5. Generator Set;
    6. Continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS);
    7. Vehicle Parking;
    8. Display and sign board;
    9. Washing Room;
    10. Site Security;
    11. Fire safety;
    12. First Aid Box;
    13. Green Belt;
    14. Website.
14. CBWTF to maintain the following records and submit the same to the SPCB/PCC within the prescribed time:
    1. Records of waste movements:
       1. Waste accepted;
       2. Treated waste to be disposed.
    2. Logbook for the treatment equipment;
    3. Monitoring and reporting of operations in the CBWTF:
       1. Monitoring of operating parameters of the incinerator/plasma pyrolysis;
       2. Monitoring of operating parameters of the Autoclave.
    4. Site Records.
15. The CBWTF operator must carry out following tests through a NABL approved laboratory or a laboratory approved under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986:
    1. Liquid effluent;
    2. Stack emission monitoring;
    3. Validation test of autoclave/microwave/chemical treatment/Dry heat sterilization;
16. The collection and transportation of bio-medical waste shall be carried out in a manner so as to prevent any possible hazard to human health and environment.
17. Transportation vehicle must be fitted with GPS to track the movement of the vehicle.
18. The vehicles used for the purpose of collection and transportation of biomedical waste must be labelled with the bio-hazard symbol in red/black colour and should display the name, address, and contact number of the CBWTF operator in green colour.
19. Private transport vehicles should not be authorised by the SPCBs/PCCs only for transportation of the Bio-medical Waste.
20. Cost to be charged by the CBWTF Operator for the Health Care Facilities for providing the best treatment services to the Health Care Units.

Source: Central Pollution Control Board

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