Question : DISPOSAL OF PLASTIC WASTES



(a) whether the Government has issued any guidelines regarding plastic management and disposal of the plastic wastes in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government in this regrd?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)

(a) to (c): Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has notified the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, as amended. These Rules have provisions for plastic waste management, wherein municipal authority are responsible for setting up, operationalisation and coordination of the waste management system and for performing the associated functions such as collection, storage, segregation, transportation, processing and disposal of plastic waste. They are required to set up collection centers for plastic waste involving manufactures in line with the principle of extended producers responsibility and to ensure its channelisation to recyclers, create awareness among, engage agencies or groups working in waste management including waste pickers and to ensure that open burning of plastic waste is not permitted. The municipal authority may determine the minimum price for plastic carry bags and that no carry bags shall be made available free of cost to consumers. The municipal authority shall encourage the use of plastic waste by adopting suitable technology such as road construction, co-incineration etc. This Ministry has requested the State Governments to review the enforcement of these Rules and take necessary action for putting in place the required implementation and monitoring arrangements for this purpose.