(a) Whether a chemical has been developed which if mixed with plastic makes, it degradable;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any steps are afoot to replace the non degradable plastic bags by the ones which could be degraded by living organism, heat, light, radiation or combination of these factors; and
(d) if so, by when plastic bags would be completely banned and replaced by degradable bags?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN THE ANSWER TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 506 REGARDING “BAN ON PLASTIC BAGS †RAISED BY SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL, MP FOR ANSWER ON 02-05-2005
(a) & (b) Plastic materials can be made degradable by the addition of specific additives and starch. Some of the biodegradable plastic materials under development are (1) PHA’s (Polyhydroxyalkonates,) (2) Polylactides, (3) Aliphatic polyesters (4) Polysaccharides (5) Co-polymers and / or blends of the above.
(c) & (d) Research and Development are underway in National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune and Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Trivandrum to develop degradable plastics. All the technologies are at the innovative stage and are yet to be available on a commercial scale indigenously. Banning or replacement of non-degradable plastic bags can be considered when commercially viable technologies are available.
As per available information made available steps have been taken only by the Delhi Government to introduce the use of degradable plastic bags within the NCT of Delhi by an amendment to the Delhi Plastic bags (Manufacture, Sale and Usage and Non-biodegradable Garbage Control) Act 2001, in December, 2004. The amendments of 2004 are yet to come into force.