Govt disfavours use of paper bags, says use bio-degradable

The government today disfavoured use of paper bags as an alternative to plastic as this would lead to cutting of trees and proposed use of bio-degradable material.

"Plastic itself is a chemically inert substance, used world-wide for packaging and is not per-se hazardous to health and environment. Recycling of plastic, if carried out as per approved procedures and guidelines, may not be an environmental or health hazard," Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh said in Lok Sabha.

Responding to supplementaries, he said it was the failure of civic bodies to collect wastes and of solid waste management system that various states including Delhi are resorting to banning use of plastic bags.

The government, he said, has notified Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999 (amended in 2003) to regulate the use and manufacture of plastics carry bags, containers and recycling of plastics wastes.

"We are moving towards thicker and bio-degradable bags. Bio-degradable is at a nascent stage... Some establishments have started using it," Ramesh said.

On the recycling of plastics, the minister said it will be undertaken in accordance with specifications of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).       He said jute bag was another alternative as it was eco-friendly.