New rules to curb plastic bag use

Feb 08, 2011 |

IANS

New Delhi

Taking the fight against polluting plastic ahead, the environment ministry on Monday notified that plastic carry bags should be of a minimum thickness of 40 microns and will not be given free of cost to consumers. The new Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011 announced on Monday will replace the earlier Recycled

Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999. The ministry has set a uniform minimum thickness of not less than 40 microns against the earlier 20 microns.
The new rules ban use of plastic material in sachets for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala. Foodstuff will not be allowed to be packed in recycled or compostable plastics.
“It is impractical and undesirable to impose a blanket ban on the use of plastic all over the country,” said environment minister Jairam Ramesh. One of the major provisions under the new rules is the recognition of the role of waste pickers. The municipal authorities will have to engage agencies or groups working in waste management, including waste pickers. —IANS

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