Question : Ban of Polythene Bags

(a) whether the Government have imposed a ban on the use of polythene bags in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is conducting any public awareness campaign in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has fixed any criteria for manufacturing of polythene bags, if so, the details thereof along with the panel provisions made for violation of the said criteria;
(d) the number of cases in which action has been taken for violation of the said criteria;
(e) whether various States have adopted separate norms for imposing ban on polythene bags in their States and if so, the reasons therefor; and
(f) whether the Government is considering any uniform norms for all States in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a)&(b) The Government has notified Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016which, inter-alia, regulate manufacture, sale, distribution and use of plastic carry bags. As per the Rules,the use of carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic lessthan 50-micronin thickness is prohibited. Regional stakeholders’ consultations have been conducted in Northern, Southern and Eastern regions for proper implementation of various waste management rules including plastic waste. A National level capacity building program on waste managementin 20 major cities have also been conducted by in association with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs within the umbrella framework of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). In addition, for 20 smaller townsanother capacity building programme has been initiated by the Ministry in association with the National Productivity Council on six waste management rules.

(c)&(d) As per PWM Rules, 2016, the use, sale and manufacturing of carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic less than 50 micron inthickness is prohibited. As per the Rules, the State Pollution Control Boards andPollution Control Committees are the prescribed authorities for enforcement of the provisions of these rulesrelated to registration, manufacture of plastic products, processing and disposal of plasticwaste.The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has taken several steps to implement provisions of PWM Rules, 2016. It has issued directions to the Commissioners of 46 million-plus cities,20 State capital cities and 118 towns located on the bank of river Ganga for implementation of waste management rules. The CPCB has also imposed a penalty of Rs. 1 crore under Section 31 of Air Act, 1981, to the municipal authorities of Delhi for non-implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

(e)&(f) In addition to the PWM Rules 2016 notified by the Central Government,21 States/UTsthrough their own notifications under respective statutes have also imposed partial or full ban on useof plastic carry bags/single use plastics.The Government in suppression of the earlier Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 has notified the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. The Rules are uniformly applicable to all the States.


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