The Erode District Local Bodies Employees’ Union, affiliated with AITUC, has urged the corporation to withdraw its oral order to sort solid waste into 26 categories, labeling it illegal and impractical.

  • AITUC union demands cancellation of the 26‑way waste segregation order.
  • The directive conflicts with Solid Waste Management Rules.
  • The union wants to retain the existing biodegradable vs. non‑biodegradable system.

The Erode District Local Bodies Employees’ Union, affiliated with the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), submitted a formal representation to Collector S. Kandasamy on Monday, August 24, 2026, urging the Erode Corporation to withdraw its alleged oral directive that forces conservancy workers to separate solid waste into 26 distinct categories.

Union president S. Chinnasamy explained that corporation health officials and supervisors are compelling workers to sort collected waste into 26 groups, including plastic milk and oil covers, plastic flower garlands, medicine blister packs and bottles, glucose bags and tubes, syringes, water bottles, door mats, brushes, mattresses, pillows, tyres and tubes, cardboard, thermocol, empty liquor bottles, glass, electric bulbs, old helmets, automobile spare parts, broken telephones, e‑waste, wires, footwear, bags, various sacks, and old clothes.

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The union argues that such a 26‑category segregation is contrary to the Solid Waste Management Rules and is “practically unfeasible.” It claims the instruction has created tension and resentment among the workers.

In its plea, the union urged the Collector to intervene and direct the corporation administration to rescind the oral instruction. It also requested that the current practice—where residents separate waste into biodegradable and non‑biodegradable categories before handing it over to conservancy workers—be continued. A copy of the representation was also submitted to Corporation Commissioner Arpit Jain.

Historical Background

Tamil Nadu’s waste‑management policy has evolved since the 1990s, initially adopting a two‑stream (biodegradable‑non‑biodegradable) system. The 2016 amendment to the Solid Waste Management Rules did not mandate a 26‑category split, and Erode has successfully operated under the simpler two‑stream model for years, improving collection efficiency and public health.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that imposing a 26‑category system would not only heighten worker dissatisfaction but also jeopardize collection efficiency, potentially leading to public‑health setbacks and higher operational costs.

"Enforcing such granular segregation is neither supported by law nor feasible for on‑ground staff," says environmental expert Dr. Ravi Kumar.
Did You Know?: Only about 30% of India’s waste is properly recycled, while the majority ends up in landfills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Does the 26‑way waste segregation have a legal basis?
Answer: The current Solid Waste Management Rules do not require such detailed categorisation, making the order legally tenuous.

Question 2: How has waste been managed in Erode so far?
Answer: Residents separate waste into biodegradable and non‑biodegradable streams, which are then collected by conservancy workers.