M A I N   N E W S

Ban on plastic packaging of tobacco products
Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service

Ban after SC order Ban comes as the SC recently refused to grant more time to the Centre for implementing the law to regulate use of plastic for packaging tobacco products. The packaging of foodstuff in recycled plastic or compostable plastic has also been banned. As per the new law, plastic carry bags should be of a minimum thickness of 40 microns, against the previous 20 microns.

New Delhi, February 7
While issuing new plastic management and handling rules, the Environment Ministry today completely banned the use of plastic for packaging ‘gutkha’ and other tobacco products and also provided for the first time a special dispensation for waste pickers.

The apex court had recently refused to grant more time to the Centre for implementing the law to regulate the use of plastic for packaging tobacco products.

The Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, also ban the packaging of foodstuff in recycled or compostable plastic. The new rules state that plastic carry bags should be of a minimum thickness of 40 microns, against the previous 20 microns.

Several state governments have stipulated varying minimum thickness. However, it is now expected that 40 microns’ norm will be the uniform standard across the country.

The new notification replaces the earlier Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999, with immediate effect and is expected to have considerable financial implications for plastic manufacturers.

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh agrees that it is impractical and undesirable to impose a blanket ban on the use of plastic all over the country, saying “the real challenge was to improve municipal solid waste management system”.

“In addition to the privatisation and mechanisation of the municipal solid waste management system, we must be sensitive to the needs and concerns of lakhs of people involved in the informal sector,” he says.

As per the notification, recycled carry bags will have to conform to specific Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). “Plastic carry bags shall either be white or only with those pigments and colourants which are in conformity with the bar prescribed by the BIS. This shall apply expressly for pigments and colourants to be used in plastic products which come in contact with foodstuff, pharmaceuticals and drinking water,” he says.

Besides, no carry bags will be made available free of cost to consumers. The municipal authority may determine the minimum price for plastic carry bags and also direct manufacturers to establish plastic waste collection centres, either collectively or individually.

A major provision under the new rules is the explicit recognition of waste pickers. It requires the municipal authority to constructively engage agencies or groups working in waste management, including waste pickers.