Blue Category of Industries

Source:  DTE

Context: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has introduced a new ‘Blue Category’ of industries under Essential Environmental Services (EES), controversially including Waste-to-Energy (WTE) incinerators, previously classified as highly polluting Red Category industries.

About Blue Category of Industries:

• What is the Blue Category of Industries?
  • The Blue Category was introduced by the CPCB to classify sectors that are essential for environmental management but are relatively low on pollution—however, this has sparked debate.
• Key Features of Blue Category Industries:

• • Recognized as part of Essential Environmental Services (EES).
  • Granted extended validity of ‘Consent to Operate’ (CTO)—up to 2 years.
  • Intended for projects that produce minimal hazardous waste.
  • Expected to align with circular economy goals.

• Industries Included: Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), Composting units, Biogas plants, Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), and Waste-to-Energy (WTE) incinerators.
• Colour-Based Industrial Classification Methodology:

The MoEFCC, in collaboration with CPCB, introduced colour-coded industrial categorisation to guide zoning, surveillance, and pollution control.

• Classification Basis:

• • Pollution Index (PI): Ranges from 0 to 100
    • PI 0–20: White (least polluting)
    • PI 21–40: Green
    • PI 41–59: Orange
    • PI 60–100: Red (most polluting)

• Establishment:

• • Launched under the ‘Re-categorization of Industries’ framework in 2016.
  • Empowered by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
  • CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) have authority to classify industries.

• Procedural Criteria for Blue Category Inclusion:

• • No generation of hazardous waste or toxic emissions.
  • Must promote circular economy (reuse, recycle, resource efficiency).
  • Must align with Sustainable Waste Management Rules, 2016.