Lok Sabha Question No. 4350 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-13
Subject: Use of Plastic in Packaging Industry
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Shrikant Eknath Shinde

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.4350

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2019

## Use of Plastic in Packaging Industry

## 4350.   DR. SUJAY RADHAKRISHNA VIKHE PATIL:

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL:

SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of large-scale use of plastic in packaging industry and its hazardous effects on the environment and human life;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the action proposed by theGovernment to reduce use of plastic in packaging of water and food items due to difficulties in recycling them;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  impose  restrictions  on  packaging  industry  to stop the use of plastic and suggest appropriate alternative material in the packaging food and water, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  adequate  Research  and  Development  to identify  an  alternative  to  plastic  for  use  in  packaging  industry  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)   and (b) The  total  quantity  of  plastic  waste,  including  packaging  waste,  generated  in the country is estimated to be around 25,940 T/day and around 15,384 Ton/day, which is 60% of the total, is collected and recycled. Major (94%) portion of the plastic are thermoplastics which are recyclable. The rest 06% belong to the other type of plastics, including thermosetplastics, which too have some alternative uses, provided such plastic waste are collected and channelized to recyclers/processing plants for proper utilization. The uncollected and littered plastic  is  a  challenge  to  environment.  Littering  and  burning  of  plastic  has  an  adverse environmental impact on environment and human health.Further, the Ministry from 1 st March 2019  has  prohibited  the  importof  solid  plastic  waste  into  the  country  including  in  Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and by Export Oriented Units.

(c) and (d) Plastic  Waste  Management  (PWM)  Rules  2016  prescribe  criteria  for  plastic packaging. According to the Rules, plastic sheet or likeand cover made of plastic sheet used for  packaging,  wrapping  the  commodity  shall  not  be  less  than  fifty  microns  in  thickness.

Further, manufacture and use of multi-layered plastic (MLP) which is non-recyclable or nonenergy recoverable or with no alternate has to be phased out.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.

(e) The Government has identified 'Compostable plastic' as one of the alternatives to the regular  plastic.  The  Rules  specify  standards/norms  for  'Compostable  plastic'.  Further,  to promote  the  use  of  such  plastic,  the  restrictive  provision  of  minimum  thickness  of  fifty microns  is  not  applicable  to  the  carry  bags  made  up  of  Compostable  plastic,  conforming IS/ISO  17088.Further,  a  committee  has  been  constituted  by  Central  Institute  of  Plastics Engineering &  Technology (CIPET) with respect to research and development for Compostable/Biodegradable Technologies on Plastic.

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