(a) Whether the Government has taken any steps or initiatives to promote the use of
Bio Degradable and Compostable polymers in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has any plans to review the National Policy on
Petrochemicals which was announced in 2007 and bring it in line with current
technological and environmental changes taking place across the globe; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER FOR CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)
(a) and (b) To promote the research and development of Bio-Degradable and
Compostable polymers in the country, the Department of Chemicals and
Petrochemicals provided financial support to establish the Centre of Excellence at the
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati with the mandate to develop biodegradable
Plastics and its products for the need of Indian Industries. The other two
Centres of Excellence were established with the support of the Department at National
Chemical Laboratory, Pune and Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and
Technology (CIPET), Bhubaneswar also works to promote bio-degradable polymers
like Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) and their composites.
The department also promotes Green / Bio-degradable polymer innovation by
providing the National Petrochemicals Awards for Technology Innovation in
Petrochemical and downstream Plastic Processing Industry in the category of Green
/ Bio-degradable polymer.
As per Rule 4 (h) of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended, the
restriction imposed on thickness under the rules, shall not be applicable to carry bags
and commodities made up of compostable plastic. Carry bags made from compostable
plastics shall conform to the Indian Standard: IS 17088:2008 titled as Specifications
for Compostable Plastics, as amended from time to time. The manufacturers or seller
of compostable plastic carry bags or commodities or both shall obtain a certificate from
the Central Pollution Control Board before marketing or selling. The Central Pollution
Control Board has developed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for issuing of
Certificates to manufacturers/seller of Compostable plastic/products. Online portal for
certification of Manufacturers/Seller has also been developed by Central Pollution
Control Board (CPCB).
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the draft
Regulations on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging
under Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended from time to time, in the
Gazette of India vide GSR No. 722 (E) on 6th October, 2021, for public consultation.
As per the draft EPR notification, in case, the obligated entities having utilizes
plastic packaging which is 100% biodegradable in the ambient environment leaving
no traces of micro plastics/chemical residue/any other traces having adverse
environmental and health impacts as certified by regulatory entities CPCB, Bureau of
Indian Standard (BIS), CIPET, the EPR target will not be applicable for such material.
(c) and (d) No. The current National policy on Petrochemicals is in line with the
technological and environmental changes occurring in the country and worldwide.
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