The ministry sought a detailed plan within six months on how the producers/firms would achieve it, failing which the “consent to establish, operate or renew” their registrations would be withheld. “15,000 tonnes of plastic waste are generated everyday of which only 9,000 tonnes are collected.In a major revamp of plastic waste management in the country, the Centre on Friday announced a slew of measures, including putting the onus of removing plastic litter from any social, political or rel In a major revamp of plastic waste management in the country, the Centre on Friday announced a slew of measures, including putting the onus of removing plastic litter from any social, political or religious gatherings on the organisers while, at the same time, expanding the jurisdiction of these laws to the rural areas, where it was absent so far.The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been mandated to formulate the guidelines for thermoset plastic (which is difficult to recycle). Provisions have now been introduced to ensure their collection and channelisation to authorized recycling facilities.

The rest 6,000 tonnes remains uncollected because it is not economical even for rag pickers,” the MoS said, adding, “That is why the revamping of the policy is being done after examination of 238 suggestions/objections by various stakeholders..“For the first time, producers (persons engaged in manufacture and import of carry bags, multi-layered packaging or wrapping products) and brand owners have been made responsible for collecting waste generated from their products,” it said. The new system also mandates only those shops and street vendors to provide plastic bags who would display “prominently” that these would be “chargeable.” The new rules said that the manufacture and use of non- recyclable multi-layered plastic will also be phased out within a span of two years.

Individual and bulk generators like offices, commercial establishments, industries are to segregate the plastic waste at source, handover segregated waste, pay user fee as per bye-laws of the local bodies failing which fine would be slapped.” The minister added that like plastic, there will be a revamping in the waste management rules of solid waste and biomedical waste. “Producers of plastic bags will have to keep a record of the vendors to whom they have supplied raw materials for manufacturing carry bags and plastic sheets,” the ministry said. Deciphering on the decision to increase the thickness of plastic carry bags from 40 to 50 micron and the stipulation of 50 micron thickness for plastic sheets, the ministry said that through this, the cost will increase by about 20 per cent and the pvc vinyl floor tendency to provide free carry bags will come down even as collection by the waste collectors increases to some extent.“These rules (plastic waste management) will also apply to rural areas becau...

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