Lok Sabha Question No. 1132 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-22
Subject: Guidelines for Manufacturers of Single-use Plastic Items
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Prataprao  Jadhav, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar, Sudheer Gupta, Bidyut Baran Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1132

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.11.2019

## Guidelines for Manufacturers of Single-use Plastic Items

## 1132.   SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIV RAO MANDLIK:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether presently there are nocomprehensive processes or guidelines forthe manufacturers of the single-use plasticto follow and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government isworking on a new guidelines for recyclingor disposing of plastics for freeing thecountry of single-use of plastic items by2022;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof and theaction plan devised by the Government inthis regard;
- (d) whether the Government ispushing manufacturers to put in a place anevidence based mechanisms  to track whatthe recycling firms undertake as ExtendedProducer Responsibility (EPR) obligationsand if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether an inter-ministerial consultation to frame a broad-based policyon recycling, managing and disposing ofsingle-use plastics, including stricter producerresponsibility is also proposed; and
- (f) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  thetime  by  which  the  new  guidelines  are  likelyto  be announced?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) to (c) Considering  the  high  environmental  costs  associated  with  management  of single-use plastics, particularly the adverse effect on marine environment, and the need for a definitive  response  supplementing  actions  undertaken  by  various  States/UTs  to  combat single-use plastic pollution, Hon'ble Prime Minister has announced India's pledge to phase out  Single-use  plastic  by  2022.  Further,  the  Ministry  has  issued  'Standard  Guidelines  on Single-use Plastics' to all Ministries under the Government of India and to all States/UTs for extensive  implementation  in  respective  offices  and  in  the  States.  The  Guideline  suggests about actions to be taken by the State/UT Governments for minimization of usage of Singleuse Plastics.

(d) to (f) The Rules mandate the producers to work out modalities for waste collection system  based  on  the  principle  of  Extended  Producers  Responsibility  involving  the  State

Urban  Development  Departments.The  Rules  furthermandates  theProducers,  Importers  and Brand Owners for collection of used multi-layered plastic sachet or pouches or packaging, who introduces such products in the market. The Rules prescribe them to establish a system for collecting back the plastic waste generated due to their products.

Ministry  has  conducted  several  meetings  with  thestakeholders  for  implementation  of  the provisions of EPR. Further, stakeholder consultation workshops were also conducted by the Ministry in Bangalore Ranchi and Chandigarh.

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