(a) whether the Government has conducted any study on the extent of damage caused by the use of plastic, throughout the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to incentivize States to ban use of plastic in their States and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether any measures have been taken by the Government to reduce the use of plastic; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) and (b) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) conducted study in 60 major cities of India. It has been estimated that around 4059 T/day of plastic waste is generated from these cities. Extrapolating this plastic waste generation data from 60 major cities to the entire country, it is estimated that around 25,940 T/day of plastic waste is generated in India. In a study sponsored by Central Pollution Control Board it was observed that the heavy metals, chloride, phthalates etc. migrate from plastic waste into the surrounding medium because these are not chemically bound and remain leachable.
(c) to (e) The Central Government has notified Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. As per the provisions of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, the generators of waste have been mandated to take steps to minimize generation of plastic waste, not to litter the plastic waste, ensure segregated storage of waste at source and handover segregated waste to local bodies or agencies authorised by the local bodies. The rules have also mandated the responsibilities of local bodies, gram panchayats, waste generators, retailers and street vendors to manage the plastic waste. The rules mandate the producers, importers and brand owners to work out modalities for waste collection system based on Extended Producer Responsibility. The Rule prescribe plastic bags with thickness less than 50 microns to be prohibited.
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