Question : BAN ON PLASTIC CARRYBAGS

(a) whether the Government had finalised an ambitious scheme to completely ban the manufacturing, sale and use of all plastic carrybags;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government are now considering a limited ban;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor:

(e) whether some State Pollution Control Boards have failed to implement the said scheme;

(f) if so, the reasons therefor;

(g) the action taken by the Government against the Boards who failed to implement the said Scheme;
(h) whether the Government have received the report of the Committee constituted under the chairmanship of Shri Ranganath Misra in this regard; and

( I ) if so, the details thereof indicating the time by which a final decision is this regard is likely to be taken and implemented?

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T.R. BAALU )


(a) No, Sir.

(b),(e),(f) & (g) Do not arise

(c),(d),(h) & (i) The report of the Committee constituted under the chairmanship of former Chief Justice Shri Ranganath Misra has been received by the Government on 27th February 2002.


The following are the recommendations relating to plastic carry bags:

`To prevent indiscriminate use and littering of plastic carry bags of smaller size and thickness, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) may consider imposition of restriction on manufacture, storage, sale and use of such plastics carry bags through the Environment (Protection) Act, so that it becomes applicable throughout the country. However, some members did not agree to the recommendations and according to them complete ban on plastics carry bag will not be a desirable step. Instead, restriction may be imposed only on such carry bags with size of and less than 8/12`.

The Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999, do not provide for seizure/ confiscation of the illegal material and also no provision for compounding the offence. As prosecution takes inordinately long time, it would be desirable to have seizure, confiscation/ compounding provisions which will have salutary effect.

The agencies concerned at the State level should be asked to ensure implementation of the guidelines for plastics packaging and packaging wastes.

Regulatory measures should be provided for discouraging the public from littering and powers should include compounding and imposing on-the-spot fines. The local statutes should incorporate appropriate provisions to this effect.`


Preliminary notification amending the Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage rules, 1999 to limit the size of plastic carry bags to 8x12 inches (20x30 cms) or above in size has been drafted. After the draft notification is issued , a period of 60 days shall be allowed for filing of objections and suggestions. The notification is required to be finalised within 365 days from the date of issue of the draft notification.