Last week, the Union environment ministry notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules (2021) that prohibits the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of some single-use goods made with plastic, polystyrene, and expanded polystyrene, such as plates, cups, glasses, cutlery, wrapping, and packing films. The rules take effect from July 1 next year.
The carry bags must be at least 75 microns thick from September 30, 2021, and 120 microns from December 31 next year, compared to 50 microns at present.
The rules so notified acknowledge the gravity of pollution caused by plastic articles of everyday use, particularly those that have utility just for few minutes or hours.
As per the Rules, the concerned State Pollution Control Board/Pollution Control Committee, Urban Development Department of State or Union Territory and the Gram Panchayat are the prescribed authorities for enforcement of provisions. These authorities shall take assistance of the District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner within their territorial limits of jurisdiction in the enforcement of the provisions of these rules. The local body has to frame bye-laws incorporating the provisions of the PWM Rules. Already 25 States/Union Territories (UTs) have taken actions under the provision of Rule 12 of PWM Rules in cases of violations reported under the Rules in respective States/UTs, according to the statement made in parliament earlier this month.
The government has already asked States/UTs to constitute a Special Task Force under Chairpersonship of Chief Secretary/Administrator for elimination of single use plastics and effective implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules. Already, 19 States/UTs have constituted the Special Task Force till date. A National Level Taskforce has also been constituted by the Ministry for taking coordinated efforts to eliminate identified single use plastic items and effective implementation of the Rules.
The new rules have been made in consonance with the recommendations made by an expert group constituted by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals two years ago.
Large amounts of plastic waste cannot be recycled because of lack of segregation which actually compounds the problem. The concerned authorities need to ensure segregation of the waste. Now that the Centre has adopted a broad ban, further pollution must end. Microplastic is already found in the food chain, and the administration must act sensibly to stop the scourge and manage the problem scientifically by also utilizing best global practices in the management of plastic waste.
Last week, the Union environment ministry notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules (2021) that prohibits the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of some single-use goods made with plastic, polystyrene, and expanded polystyrene, such as plates, cups, glasses, cutlery, wrapping, and packing films. The rules take effect from July 1 next year.
The carry bags must be at least 75 microns thick from September 30, 2021, and 120 microns from December 31 next year, compared to 50 microns at present.
The rules so notified acknowledge the gravity of pollution caused by plastic articles of everyday use, particularly those that have utility just for few minutes or hours.
As per the Rules, the concerned State Pollution Control Board/Pollution Control Committee, Urban Development Department of State or Union Territory and the Gram Panchayat are the prescribed authorities for enforcement of provisions. These authorities shall take assistance of the District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner within their territorial limits of jurisdiction in the enforcement of the provisions of these rules. The local body has to frame bye-laws incorporating the provisions of the PWM Rules. Already 25 States/Union Territories (UTs) have taken actions under the provision of Rule 12 of PWM Rules in cases of violations reported under the Rules in respective States/UTs, according to the statement made in parliament earlier this month.
The government has already asked States/UTs to constitute a Special Task Force under Chairpersonship of Chief Secretary/Administrator for elimination of single use plastics and effective implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules. Already, 19 States/UTs have constituted the Special Task Force till date. A National Level Taskforce has also been constituted by the Ministry for taking coordinated efforts to eliminate identified single use plastic items and effective implementation of the Rules.
The new rules have been made in consonance with the recommendations made by an expert group constituted by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals two years ago.
Large amounts of plastic waste cannot be recycled because of lack of segregation which actually compounds the problem. The concerned authorities need to ensure segregation of the waste. Now that the Centre has adopted a broad ban, further pollution must end. Microplastic is already found in the food chain, and the administration must act sensibly to stop the scourge and manage the problem scientifically by also utilizing best global practices in the management of plastic waste.
