Question : Plastic Waste

(a) the average annual consumption of plastic in the country and the quantity of plastic waste generated;
(b) the names of the major Cities/ States responsible for generation of maximum plastic waste;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any study regarding the harmful effects of plastic waste on human health and environment and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued any directions/ guidelines in this regard;
(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
(f) the steps being taken by the Government for management and safe disposal of plastic waste including plastic packaging along with the measures taken to ensure safety of workers engaged in plastic industry in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a)&(b) According to National Accounts Statistics 2015, brought out by the CentralStatistics Office (CSO), the average production/consumption of plastic products during theyears 2011-12 to 2015-16 (up to September 2015) is 707 Million Metric Tons per annum with the growth rate of8.3% per year in chemical and chemical products sector. The Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB) conducted a study in 60 major cities of India wherein it been estimated that around 4059T/day of plastic waste is generated from these cities. The major cities generating plastic waste are Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Extrapolating the plastic wastegeneration data from 60 major cities to the entire country,it is estimated that around 25,940T/day of plastic waste is generated in India.

(c) In a study by Central Pollution Control Board, it was observed that heavy metals, chlorides, phthalates etc. migrate from plastic waste into the surroundingmedium because these are not chemically bound and remain present in mobile and leachable phase.

(d)to(f)The National Green Tribunal vide its judgment in Original Application No. 199 of2014 in the matter of Almitra H. Patel Versus Union of India issued consolidated directionsto the states and the Union Territories for implementation of Solid Waste ManagementRules, 2016 and Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.The Government has notified Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. As per theRules, the generators of waste have been mandated to take steps to minimize generation ofplastic waste, not to litter the plastic waste, ensure segregated storage of waste at source andhandover segregated waste to local bodies or agencies authorized by the local bodies. Therules also mandate the responsibilities of local bodies, gram panchayats, waste generators,retailers and street vendors to manage plastic waste. The rules mandate the producers,importers and brand owners to work out modalities for waste collection system based on theprinciple of Extended Producer Responsibility.The occupational safety, health and welfare ofworkers employed in the factories are taken care by various legislations by Government ofIndia i.e. the Factories Act 1948 and others.


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