Govt to strenghten laws to combat plastic hazard: Javadekar

Linking the drive against plastic to 'clean-India' campaign, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today said the government will take a number of steps like tightening legal provisions and increasing the quantum of fine to deal with the menace of plastic.
"Clean India campaign should also (mean) plastic free-India," he said while replying to a short-duration discussion on issues concerning plastic hazard.
The government, Javadekar said, proposes to tighten the provisions of the Environment Protection Act by increasing the monetary penalty for violations of the provisions from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and in some cases even Rs 50 lakh.

He said the government will also come out with norms to regulate manufacture and use of thermocole as it was also a health hazard. Thermocole is used to manufacture cups, plates and other items of packaging.
The legal provisions alone would not be enough to deal with the growing problems of plastic hazards, he said, adding wider public participation would be necessary to effectively deal with the problem.
The minister said a recent raid conducted by the pollution control authorities in Delhi revealed that several unregistered units were manufacturing plastic bags of below 40 microns despite the ban.

Manufacturing of plastic bags below 40 microns thickness is banned as they cannot be recycled.

Stressing that the plastic waste was a big health hazard, Javadekar said states should take effective steps to implement the provisions of the Environment Protection Act.
Out of 15,000 tonnes of plastic waste generated every year, only 9,000 tonnes is collected and the rest will remain undegraded for 100 years, he said, adding the problem will continue to grow if not checked in time.
He also agreed with suggestions of the members that young students should be sensitised about the environmental issues and the problems concerning plastic hazard.
Initiating the discussion, BJP member Kirit Somaiya suggested the centre should frame a law to regulate manufacture, distribution and disposal of plastic items.

"Can we not think of a plastic-free India?" he said while raising the issue arising from an answer given by Javadekar in the Lok Sabha last month.
Among those who participated in the discussion were Suresh Angadi, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (both BJP), B Mahtab (BJD) and Gopal Shetty (BJP).