Question : ACCUMULATION OF PLASTIC WASTE

(a) whether plastic wastes get accumulated in huge quantities in different parts of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has conducted any study on the same particularly on the plastic waste being accumulated at the railway stations and the airport in Delhi;

(d) if so, the outcome thereof including the deficiencies pointed out by the study;

(e) whether CPCB has issued any directions to the concerned authorities on the same;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) the other remedial measures initiated by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a)to (g): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 462 FOR 28.04.2010 REGARDING ACCUMULATION OF PLASTIC WASTE BY SHRI S.S. RAMASUBBU AND SHRI NEERAJ SHEKHAR.

(a) & (b): Based on a field survey conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), it has been estimated that approximately 15,722 tonnes plastic waste is generated in the country per day.

(c)&(d): Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has conducted a study titled “Assessment of Plastic Waste and its Management at Airports and Railway Stations in Delhi”. The study has brought out that:

i) The quantity of plastic waste generation in three major railway stations in Delhi is 6758 kilograms per day. The quantity of plastic waste generation from domestic and international airports in Delhi is 4130 kilograms per day.
ii) The per capita plastic waste generation is approximately 9 gm/day in the railway stations and 69 gm/day in the airports.
iii) While collection of solid waste, including plastic waste, at the airports in Delhi is being organized through a private contractor, only the value added plastic wastes such as PET bottles, plates, spoons, tumbler etc, are being collected by unorganized sector at the railway stations. The non-recyclable plastic waste such as multi-layered and metalized pouches which are not collected at the railway stations, remain littered.

(e)&(f): CPCB has communicated the findings and recommendations of the study to the Railways and Airports Authorities for better management of plastic waste at Railway Stations and Airports in Delhi including the suggestions to adopt proper segregation system and disposal system.

(g): The Central Government has notified the “Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999 (as amended in 2003)” to regulate the manufacture, sale and use and recycling of plastic bags. These Rules, inter alia, prohibit manufacture, sale and use of plastic carry bags less than 20 micron in thickness and less than 8 x12 inches in size. Some States have prescribed more stringent norms for thickness of plastic bags or have banned the use of plastic bags in tourist/public places.