The Government is set to provide one-time financial support for establishing recycling plants for abandoned fishing gear and plastic waste in coastal areas.

This was announced by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Saturday during a beach clean-up event at Juhu in Mumbai on Saturday.

The new guidelines aim to set up recycling facilities specifically for fishing gear and marine plastic waste at the 12 Blue Flag-certified beaches, which adhere to international environmental and safety standards.

According to the ministry, the support will facilitate the creation of 25 recycling units—13 for nylon fishing gear and 12 for plastic waste—located near these beaches.

To qualify for funding, new recycling units must possess valid permits, be situated outside the Coastal Regulation Zone, and comply with local regulations. Preference will be given to facilities located near beaches, harbors, fishing hotspots, and high-tourism areas, where there are no governmental restrictions on establishing the unit.

Registered fishermen's societies will be prioritised for fishing gear recycling units.

Funding will be sourced from the Central Pollution Control Board's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) funds, Environmental Compensation, and the Environmental Protection Fund. The financial assistance will cover the costs of plant and machinery but will not include expenses for land, civil works, or operational costs.

For plastic waste recycling units, the grant will be Rs 19 lakh per ton of production capacity or 40% of the plant cost, with a maximum cap of Rs 38 lakh. For nylon fishing gear recycling units, Rs 24 lakh grant per ton of capacity or 40% of the plant cost, with an upper limit of Rs 48 lakh will be provided. Costs will be shared in a 40:60 ratio between the Central Pollution Control Board and the project proponent.