Garbage Free Cities (GFC) Star-Rating Support

Getting cities certified 1-star to 7-star clean under the GFC protocol.

Scope this with us →All of City Assessment & Planning

Garbage Free City — clean urban environment

What it is

The Star Rating of Garbage Free Cities protocol certifies cities against 25 components across cleanliness, segregation, processing and dumpsite remediation. We prepare the city, close component gaps and support the certification process.

Why it matters

GFC stars are a recognised, verifiable cleanliness credential
Star rating feeds directly into Swachh Survekshan
The 25 components give a clear, auditable improvement roadmap

Climbing the star ladder

From 1-star to 7-star Garbage Free City

GFC protocol certifies cities on a 1-to-7-star scale. Each star adds tougher conditions — we assess the current tier and close the gaps to the next.

7-StarFully circular, zero landfill

5-StarScientific processing at scale

3-StarSegregation & processing embedded

1-StarBaseline cleanliness & collection

Certification climbs star by star — each tier is a defined set of conditions to close.

How we do it

A clear, practical approach

01Component self-assessment

City scored against all GFC components to find the gaps.

02Gap closure

Interventions for the components blocking the target star level.

03Certification support

Evidence, documentation and third-party assessment readiness.

Proof on the ground

Related work we've delivered

Real projects behind our city assessment & planning — named partners, measured outcomes.

Research

Single-Use Plastics Value-Chain Assessment

2 cities in Maharashtra & 2 cities in Tamil Nadu

4Cities studied (2 Maharashtra + 2 Tamil Nadu)

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Research

Impact Evaluation of a Decentralized Solid Waste Management Project

16 Bulk Waste Generators across Mumbai & Pune

88%Segregation rate achieved at household level

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Related services

Waste Baseline Study The ground-truth study of how much waste a city generates, and where it goes today. Explore → Ward-Level Waste Assessment Zooming the city picture down to the ward — where the real gaps and wins are. Explore → Waste Characterisation Study What the waste is actually made of — the composition that decides how to process it. Explore → Solid Waste Management Action Plan The city-wide roadmap from where you are to SWM-Rules-compliant, ward by ward. Explore → DPR Preparation for Waste Projects The Detailed Project Report that unlocks SBM / state funding for waste infrastructure. Explore → Waste Infrastructure Gap Assessment What infrastructure a city has vs what it needs — mapped and costed. Explore → All of City Assessment & PlanningSee the full city assessment & planning service.→

FAQ

Garbage Free Cities (GFC) Star-Rating Support — quick answers

The essentials, then talk to us for your specifics.

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What is Garbage Free Cities (GFC) Star-Rating Support?

Who needs Garbage Free Cities (GFC) Star-Rating Support?

It's built for ULBs & municipal corporations. GFC stars are a recognised, verifiable cleanliness credential Star rating feeds directly into Swachh Survekshan

How does Social Lab deliver Garbage Free Cities (GFC) Star-Rating Support?

Component self-assessment: City scored against all GFC components to find the gaps. Gap closure: Interventions for the components blocking the target star level. Certification support: Evidence, documentation and third-party assessment readiness. You get: GFC component-wise gap assessment; A star-level improvement roadmap; Certification-ready evidence pack.

Where to next

Explore the rest of our waste-circularity work — by service, by who you are, or by where you operate.

All services By client type By location Waste Circularity hub →

Insights & field notes

Latest thinking on this

All insights →

Waste CircularityIndia's Circularity Leap: Key Learnings for Waste Management in 2026As India accelerates its transition to a circular economy, businesses and municipalities must adapt. Discover critical waste circularity learnings for 2026.29 Sept 2026 · 6 min read

Waste CircularityMaterial Sovereignty in India: Building Resilient Circular Supply ChainsIndia can strengthen material security by connecting smarter design, EPR, urban recovery, recycling quality and demand for verified secondary materials.23 Sept 2026 · 6 min read

Waste CircularityBuilding a Circular City: A Solid-Waste Roadmap for ULBsA practical, phase-by-phase solid-waste roadmap for Indian ULBs to move from disposal to circularity, aligned with SWM Rules 2016 and SBM-U 2.0, covering the full value chain from segregation to scientific disposal.8 Jun 2026 · 12 min read

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