The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) will implement a four-colour, four-bin waste segregation system across the city under the Solid Waste Management Rules–2026. The decision follows a review meeting in which Municipal Commissioner H.M. Dhyanachandra outlined plans to expand the existing three-bin arrangement by introducing a black bin to handle hazardous materials. The new configuration will aim to streamline household segregation and improve scientific disposal. The plan seeks to reduce landfill load and increase resource recovery.

Under the system, wet waste will be collected in green bins while dry waste will be placed in blue bins and sanitary and biomedical household waste will be deposited in red bins. Black bins will be allocated for hazardous and electronic waste, including bulbs, batteries, paint containers and e-waste, to reduce contamination of reusable streams. The corporation will map bin locations to ensure accessible collection across residential and commercial areas. Collection routes will be adjusted to accommodate the new categories.

The commissioner directed officials to conduct city-wide awareness campaigns to promote segregation at source and to educate residents on the correct use of each bin category. He also reviewed summer preparedness measures and instructed departments to maintain drinking water supplies, preserve parks and protect urban greenery to prevent service disruptions during the hotter months. Senior officials from several departments attended the meeting to coordinate implementation timelines and responsibilities. Departments will report progress regularly to the municipal administration.

Officials were asked to establish monitoring mechanisms and regular reporting to avoid inconvenience to the public and to measure compliance with the rules. The VMC intends to phase in the new bins while training sanitation staff and coordinating with waste processing facilities to handle the segregated streams appropriately. Implementation is expected to commence in the coming months subject to operational readiness. The corporation will publish schedules and helpline contacts for residents.