India issues rules on plastic bags and waste, but rejects full ban

India’s national environment ministry has issued new rules banning plastic bags under 40 microns thick and suggesting the country implement broader collection of plastic waste, including an “extended producer responsibility” system that could put more requirements on plastics manufacturers to deal with packaging waste.

The rules, released on Feb. 7, must still be implemented by state-level environmental departments and municipal governments, and enforcement rests largely with local governments, so it’s unclear what form they might finally take at the local level. But they do represent a potentially major change to the country’s plastics waste management policies, which were last rewritten in 2003.

The ministry said it expected that 40 microns would become the new national standard.

Other sections of the new rules explicitly recognize for the first time the role of India’s legions of waste pickers, who sort through garbage for valuables. The rules require the municipal governments “constructively engage” with groups representing waste pickers, which the ministry said was the first time that has been done.

The rules would also: Ban the use of recycled or compostable plastics for food packaging. Ban plastic for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala. Require municipal governments to insure safe waste handling and set up collection centers. It said they “may” direct plastic manufacturers to set up such centers “in line with the principle of ‘extended producers responsibility.’”

Source: Plastics News