The Government on Friday notified new norms for plastic waste management across the country. Organisers of weddings, political rallies, religious gatherings and other such events will be responsible for removing plastic litter at the venue and any violations will invite penalties, announced the Environment Ministry.
The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 in suppression of previous Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, is aimed at curbing over 6,000 tonnes of uncollected plastic waste generated daily, targeting both their manufacturers and users.
Nearly, 15,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated every day, of which 9,000 tonnes are collected and processed, but 6,000 tonnes of plastic waste are not being collected, said the Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, during the release of the rules.
“Waste generators, including institutional generators, event organisers shall not litter the plastic waste but segregate it and hand it over to the authorised agency. (They should) pay user fee as prescribed by urban local bodies and spot fine in case of violation,” state the rules.
“The minimum thickness of plastic bags has been increased from 40 microns to 50 microns,” said Javadekar.”The rules, which were admissible up to municipal areas, have now been extended to all villages, he added.
“Notifying the new Plastic Waste Management Rules is part of the revamping of all Waste Management Rules, which would help in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Swachchh Bharat, he said, adding that “cleanliness is the essence of health and tourism.”
The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 apart from increasing the thickness for plastic carry bags also stipulates minimum thickness of 50 micron for plastic sheets. They also aim to bring in the responsibilities of producers and generators, both in plastic waste management system and to introduce collect back system of plastic waste by the producers/brand owners, as per extended producers responsibility.
Among other objectives, the rules also aim to introduce collection of plastic waste management fee through pre-registration of the producers, importers of plastic carry bags/multilayered packaging and vendors selling the same for establishing the waste management system.
The rules further state that responsibility to provide land for establishing waste management facility has been made to the Department with business allocation of land allotment in the State Government.