Lok Sabha Question No. 253 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-01
Subject: Ban on Polythene Bags
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK

## 253. SHRI B.V. NAIK

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

- (a) whether many State Governments have banned the use of polythene bags;
- (b) if so, whether the use of Polythene bags is still going on in most of the States;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  encouraging  the  use  of  paper  bags  for  which  a  number  of trees will have to be cut; and
- (e) the details of the remedial measures the Government is taking to sort out the problem?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a) Yes,  Sir.  State  Governments  of  Sikkim,  Nagaland,  Haryana,  Himachal  Pradesh,  Tripura, Rajasthan,  Jammu  &  Kashmir  and  Delhi,  and  the  Union  Territories  of  Andaman  &  Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Chandigarh have banned use of plastic carry bags.
- (b)  & (c) The use of polythene bags above 40 micron thickness is permitted as per the Plastic Waste  (Management  and  Handling)  Rules,  2011,  and  are  in  use  in  many  States/  Union Territories.
- (d) The Government has not prescribed any guidelines / legal frame work encouraging the use of paper bags.
- (e) The  Plastic  Waste  (Management  and  Handling)  Rules,  2011  provide  for  plastic  waste management  system  to  be  established  by  the  municipal  authorities  for  management  of  plastic waste in areas under their jurisdictions.  The pigments and colourants used for manufacturing of plastic carry bags should conform to standards prescribed under the rules.  No carry bags shall be made available free of cost by retailers to consumers. The municipal authorities are required to notify the minimum price for carry bags so as to minimize plastic waste generation. Any person manufacturing  carry  bags  or  engage  in  recycling  of  plastic  waste  is  required  to  register  with concerned State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committee (PCC).  The State Pollution Control Boards is responsible for enforcement of provisions of the

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 253

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2015

## Ban on Polythene Bags

abovementioned  rules  in  respect  of  manufacture,  registration  and  recycling.  The  Municipal authority  is  responsible  for  enforcement  of  provisions  relating  to  use  and  sale  of  such  bags  in their jurisdiction.   The Ministry has asked State Governments to ensure compliance the Rules. The Central Pollution Control Board has issued directions to all SPCBs and PCCs for immediate closure of units manufacturing plastic carry bags in violation of the Rules and to Secretaries-in charge of municipal authorities of each State and Union Territory to prohibit use and sale of substandard plastic carry bags.

Further, in order to make these Rules more effective, the Ministry has published draft Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2015 inviting public objections / suggestions. These rules propose to expand the jurisdiction of applicability; to increase the minimum thickness of poly bags to 50 microns; to bring in the responsibilities of producers and generators both; strengthen the role of the local government, industrial units and others in effective management of plastic waste.

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