Lok Sabha Question No. 87 (STARRED), answered on 2019-11-22
Subject: Impact of Plastic Waste on Environment
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Kapil Moreshwar Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. †*87

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.11.2019

## Impact of Plastic Waste on Environment

## *87. SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL:

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

- (a) whether any study has been conducted regarding the adverse impact of plastic waste on environment and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has formulated or notified any law/rules regarding complete ban on use of polythene bags and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of persons/companies, distributors and other institutions punished for using/manufacturing /distributing plastic bags and bottles during the last six months, State/UT-wise;
- (d) whether persons/companies and distributors are still using plastics despite the ban on use of plastics throughout the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the corrective action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 87 to  be  answered  on  Friday,  the  22 nd November,  2019  on  'Impact  of  Plastic  Waste  on Environment'by Shri KapilMoreshwarPatil

(a) The Central Pollution Control Boardin its report on 'Impact of Plastic Waste Disposal on  Soil  and  Water  Quality  at  Lucknow  Dumpsites'  in  December,  2015,  has  found  that dumping of plastic waste can deteriorate soil and underground water quality due to leaching of  additives,  colourants,  stabilizers  and  filters  present  in  the  different  categories  of  plastic products.

(b) No Sir, the Government has not notified a complete ban on the use of polythene bags, however, Plastic Waste Management (PWM)  Rules, 2016 have been notified for environmentally sound management of plastic waste and to prevent plastic pollution in the country. The Rules prohibit use of plastic bags, plastic sheet or like with thickness less than 50 micron. The Rules also prohibit use of carry bags made of recycled plastic or products made of recycled plastic for storing, carrying, dispensing or packaging ready to eat or drink food stuff. Further, sachets using plastic material are prohibited for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala.

The State/UTs Governments through their own notifications have imposed ban on the use of plastic bags and other single-use items which are prone to litter within their respective jurisdiction. 22 States/UTs have issued notifications/orders imposing complete ban on plastic carry bags. 7 States/UTs have also imposed partial restriction/prohibition of plastic carry bags or other Single-use plastic products. Rest of the States/UTs have not imposed any additional restrictions on plastic bags expect the thickness criteria of 50 micron as per the PWM Rules 2016.

(c) to (e) As per provision '12' of PWM Rules, 2016, 21 States/UTs have imposed fine, issued notices and closure directions to the defaulters and seized materials in their respective States/UTs. Further, there are no violation reported by rest of the States/UTs.

The monitoring of the implementation of the PWM Rules 2016 rests with the State Level Advisory Committee (SLAC) constituted in every States/UTs chaired by the Secretary, Urban Development. However, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has also taken several  steps  for  enforcement  of  the  PWM  Rules  2016.CPCB  has  issued  directions  to  the

Commissioners of 46 Million-plus cities, 20 State Capital cities and 118 towns located on bank of Ganga river to prohibit manufacturing & use of sub-standard (<50µ thickness) plastic carry bags (with or without handle). CPCB has also imposed penalty of Rs. 1 Crore under section '31' of Air Act, 1981, to Municipal authorities of Delhi for non-implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

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