Page 55 - Plastics News February 2022

IN THE NEwS

CPCB Issues Notice To Implement Ban On IOCL Delay In Setting

Single-Use Plastic From July Up LPG Bottling Unit

Irks Govt
ith the violators of the notification,” it said.
WC en tr e The Delhi environment department’s
banning single- draft policy focuses on promoting he state government has expressed
use plastic items alternatives. Single-use commodities Tanguish over the delay by the
like earbuds and like plastic sticks for earbuds, balloons, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
cutleries from July flags, candy and ice-cream should be in setting up an LPG bottling unit in
1 this year, Central replaced with alternatives like reusable the state. A submission was made
Pollution Control wooden or bamboo sticks. Reusable before the High Court of Meghalaya
Board (CPCB) refill pens should replace use and throw on behalf of IOCL that consultants
has now issued a pens, it stated.“Water should be served in have been appointed to inspect the area
notice asking producers, shopkeepers, disposable paper glasses or reusable glass and to submit a report. The Court was
street vendors and general public to stop or bamboo bottles instead of drinking hearing a PIL on matters pertaining
production, stocking, sale and usage of water sachets (any size) and packing water to distribution of LPG cylinders in
identified single-use plastic items as per bottles having a capacity of less than Meghalaya.The state expressed its
the specified deadline. CPCB said action one litre. Instead of plastic utensils and anguish that the unit has not been
would be taken on against violators cutlery, the ones made up of leaves or set up yet despite it being agreed in
under the environment Protection bamboo should be used. Edible cutlery principle in 2019 that the unit would
act. According to a notification of the made from grains, pulses and millets can be in place by 2021. The Court said
union ministry of environment, forest be used too,” according to the policy. that the matter will appear four weeks
and climate change, “single-use plastic Moreover taking forward the clarion
items—plastic sticks used in balloons, call given by Prime Minister Narendra
flags, candy, ice-cream and earbuds, Modi to eliminate single-use plastics,
thermocol that is used in decoration, the Environment Ministry has notified
items such as plates, cups, glasses comprehensive guidelines on Extended
and cutlery, wrapping and packing Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic
films used in sweet boxes, invitation packaging, Union Environment Minister
cards, cigarette packets, stirrers and Bhupender Yadav said. Announcing the
plastic banners less than 100 microns notification of the new Plastic Waste
in thickness—are banned from July Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022
1.” Carry bags with 120 microns in through social media late on Thursday hence“It is hoped that a report would
thickness will be banned from December night, Mr. Yadav said the guidelines be obtained and preliminary steps for
31 this year. CPCB has issued the provide a framework to strengthen the setting up of the unit taken by the
notice to inform all producers, stockists, circular economy of plastic packaging time the matter is taken up next,” the
retailers, shopkeepers, e-commerce waste and promote alternatives to plastic. Court order said. The matter has been
companies, street vendors, commercial According to the notification, the new listed on March 11, 2022. Earlier in
establishments and general public to stop guidelines shall come into force with November 2021 IOCL had written
production, stocking, distribution, sale immediate effect. The new rules classify to the Meghalaya government stating
and usage of identified single-use plastic plastics into four categories- category that it had undertaken the project of
items as per the timeline specified in the 1 will include rigid plastic packaging; setting up a new LPG bottling plant
notification of MoEF & CC. “Action category 2 will include flexible plastic of 30 TMTPA capacity in Umiam and
under the environmental protection act, packaging of single layer or multilayer the construction of the much-needed
including seizure of goods, levying of that will come under category 3 and LPG bottling plant in the state was to
environmental compensation, closure of plastic sheet or like used for packaging as begin soon as the proposal was then
operation of industries or commercial well as carry bags made of compostable in the final stages of being approved
establishment shall be taken against the plastics fall under category 4. by IOCL.

54 PLASTICS NEWS FEBRUARY 2022 55 PLASTICS NEWS FEBRUARY 2022