Centre to states: Phase out single use plastics

The Centre has asked states to phase out Single Use Plastic as soon as possible. In addition, states and Urban Local Bodies were also advised to enter into MoUs with nearby cement plants or other industrial units to ensure that a part of the plastic waste is used either as alternative fuel in cement plants or for construction of roads.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) issued a detailed advisory to states and UTs to take up activities from June 5, the World Environment Day, and swing into campaign mode to make India free of single use plastic (SUP).

“The advisory includes large scale cleaning and plogging drives, with special emphasis on plastic waste collection and large scale tree plantation drives, with participation of all citizens — students, voluntary organisations, self-help groups, local NGOs/CSOs, NSS and NCC cadets, RWAs, market associations, corporate entities, etc,” the HUPA ministry said.

Every ULB is required to adopt 100 per cent source segregation of waste in order to reduce plastic and dry waste ending up in dumpsites or water bodies. HUPA said that while 2,591 ULBs (out of 4,704) have already reported notification of SUP ban as per the directions of Central Pollution Control Board and MoEF, states/

UTs will need to ensure that the remaining 2,100plus ULBs notify the same by June 30. As per Plastic Waste Management (Amended) Rules, 2021, the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic less than 75 microns in thickness was banned from September

30, 2021 as opposed to 50 microns recommended earlier under PWM Rules,

2016.

As a consequence of this new provision, citizens are now encouraged to desist from using thin plastic carry bags provided by street vendors, local shopkeepers, vegetable sellers, etc. and use alternative options.