Page 49 - Plastics News April 2021

in the news

India, France to work jointly on NGT orders UPPB, Noida

phasing out single-use plastics authority to enforce SUP ban

rance and India are expected to work together on he National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the
Fa joint initiative on phasing out Single-use plastics TNoida authority and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution
as part of their engagement in dealing with climate Control Board (UPPCB) to enforce the single-use
change. This was one of the key outcomes of the meet plastic ban to combat pollution. The order came after
between visiting French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le a petitioner from Noida complained that a ban on
single-use plastic items was not implemented in the
city, while its rampant sale persists. The NGT bench,
headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, observed that
while there are laws to control the plastic waste,
their implementation needs to be assured. “This
is primarily a governance issue,” it said. “General
directions for the enforcement of law, which is in any
case to be implemented, do not serve any purpose. If
such an order is to be implemented, questions will be
raised about the alleged violators and why no action
was taken against them. In an absence of particulars
of the violators and prayer being based on specific
violations, only a formal order can be passed that
Drian and India's Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar. the Noida authority and the UPPCB may look into the
Speaking at an event in Delhi, the French Foreign minister grievance of the application as per the law. The order
said, "France and India could also work together to is given accordingly,” read the order issued on March
fight single-use plastics. Our countries have taken very 25. Plastic is sold in violation of the Plastic Waste
strong decisions on this issue...We should invite other Management Rules, 2018, and the Uttar Pradesh Plastic
countries to join this momentum and –why not? – work and other Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Regulation of
on a moratorium on single-use plastics." India will be Use and Disposal) (Amendment) Ordinance 2018, it
phasing out single-use plastics by 2022, and France, for added. Abhisht Gupta, the petitioner, said, “About
its part, has started to ban a series of single-use plastic
products. In the past, India and France have taken the
joint initiative, most notable being the International Solar
Alliance (ISA) in 2015 which aims to harness the energy
of the sun as part of the use of clean energy. Other than
the initiative on "Single Use Plastic", both sides decided
to work on Green Hydrogen or Hydrogen used via "clean
process". France will also be sending an "expert" for the
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure or CDRI.
Hailing the CRDI, the French FM said, "France and India
are also cooperating together under the Coalition for
Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, which was launched
by the Prime Minister of India in 2019.""From our point
of view, this coalition has a very important role to play 200 volunteers collected plastic from over 50 sectors
in the Indo-Pacific region to adapt infrastructures to the of Noida from roadsides and other open places on
consequences of climate change. Here, too, France will February 21. When asked, UPPCB officials said they
make a concrete contribution by seconding an expert to will ensure that the plastic waste is in check as the
this organization in Delhi," he added. CRDI aims to promote main issue with the plastic waste in Noida is due to its
the resilience of new and existing infrastructure against storage, distribution and use with plastic items mostly
climate and disaster risks. comimg through neighbouring cities.

49 April 2021 Plastics News