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Over 15,000 tonnes of plastic waste generated each day

Updated: May 07, 2013 06:05:23pm
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New Delhi, May 7 (KNN)  A study titled 'Assessment and Quantification of Plastic Waste in 60 Cities' during the year 2010-11 has revealed that an estimated 15,342.46 tonnes of plastic waste is generated each day in the country.
 
The study was carried out by the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) in Ahmedabad on behalf of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Environment and Forests Minister, Jayanthi Natarajan said in a written statement in the Rajya Sabha today.
 
Of the total plastic waste generated, about 9205 tonnes are collected and recycled each day while the remaining 6137 tonnes remains uncollected owing to various reasons.
 
Uncollected waste can cause choking of drains, unhygienic environment, water borne diseases as well as illness and possible death of animals that feed on waste from garbage bins.
 
In addition, non-biodegradable plastic waste can contaminate soil and disturb the recharge of ground water aquifers, the minister pointed out, even as toxic substances in plastic can affect health and pollute ground water.
 
She drew attention to the Plastic (Waste Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 that is in place.  As per the rules, specify plastic carry bags should have a minimum thickness of 40 microns; food stuffs cannot be packed in recycled plastics or compostable plastics; no carry bags shall be made available free of cost to consumers; and plastic material, in any form shall not be used in any package for packing gutkha, pan masala and tobacco in all forms.
 
Further, the mechanism for plastic waste management has been prescribed in the rules.
 
Implementing authorities for the rules are the State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees in the Union Territories.  They are responsible for strict enforcement of provisions relating to registration, manufacture and recycling.
 
The municipal authorities on the other hand, are responsible for the use, collection, segregation, transportation and disposal of plastic waste.  (KNN)

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