Plastic carry bags: Minimum thickness increased to 50 microns

Environment/Science

Just Earth News 18 Mar 2016, 06:32 pm Print

Image: Minister Prakash Javadekar addressing a press conference on Plastic Waste Rules, in New Delhi on Friday/PIB

New Delhi, Mar 18 (IBNS) To curb the menace of plastic waste and its accumulation, the Union government has, on Friday, said that the minimum thickness of plastic carry bags has been increased to 50 microns from 40 microns and the rule, which was being implemented up to municipal areas will now be implemented at the village level too.

On Friday, the central government notified the new Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, which will replace the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011.

Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar, said on Friday that 15, 000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated every day, out of which only 9, 000 tonne is being collected and processed.

He said that the new Plastic Waste Management Rules is a part of the revamping of all Waste Management Rules and will help in achieving the aims of Swacchh Bharat. He also said, "cleanliness is the essence of health and tourism."

The draft rules, namely the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2015 and dated May 25, 2015 were published by the Government of India, in the Gazette of India, inviting public objections and suggestions.

According to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 the stipulated minimum thickness of 50 micron will also be applicable for plastic sheets.

The new Rule has also laid out detailed processes 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.

There will also be increased efforts to promote use of plastic waste for road construction as per Indian Road Congress guidelines or energy recovery, or waste to oil etc. for gainful utilization of waste and also address the waste disposal issue.

According to the ministry, manufacture and use of non-recyclable multi-layered plastic is also expected to be phased out in two years’ time.

Indiscriminate disposal of plastic has become a major threat to the environment. In particular, the plastic carry bags are the biggest contributors of littered waste and every year, millions of plastic bags end up in to the environment vis-a-vis soil, water bodies, water courses, etc. and it takes an average of one thousand years to decompose completely, the ministry highlighted.

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