Page 40 - Plastics News July 2021

IN THE NEWS

Bihar bans production, use of Bihar adopts models for ‘Waste

VLQJOH XVH 3ODVWLF Management And Recycling’

he state cabinet has recently n a major decision announced by the state government
Tdecided to ban production, Iin early June, it has authorized 142 e-waste collection
import, storage, circulation and points in various districts and has initiated awareness
usage of single-use plastic, the drives about e-waste hazards. In consultation with
waste of which was becoming WKH 3URGXFHUV FROOHFWLRQ FHQWUHV KDYH EHHQ LGHQWLÀHG
a major issue for disposal. This and the list of the same has been published on the
was among the six decisions website of the Bihar State Pollution Control Board.
the cabinet at its meeting Advertisement through hoardings, print and electronic
media have been made for public awareness for
chaired by chief minister Nitish proper collection and disposal of e-waste. Awareness
Kumar approved on the day. programme among school children has also been
Environment and forest minister conducted widely. Earlier, meetings have been held
Niraj Singh Bablu said the ban would come in effect after with the main stockholders, the producers of e-waste,
GD\V RI WKH JD]]HWH QRWLÀFDWLRQ ´$OO LQGXVWULDO XQLWV to enforce EPR (Extended Producers responsibility).
and marketing installations would be asked to dispose of To enforce EPR in states like Bihar which is mainly
their product, mainly of made of thermocol, within the consumer state and not producer state, MOEFCC and
stipulated period and resort to eco-friendly alternatives. CPCB have been requested to remove the clauses of
A detailed modality to check production and use of geographical neutrality and brand neutrality in meeting
thermocol items and other single use plastic and penalty the EPR obligations. Dipak Kumar Singh, Principal
ZRXOG EH ZRUNHG RXW QRWLÀHG VRRQ µ VDLG WKH PLQVWHU Secretary, Environment, Forest and Climate Change,
Earlier, the state government had banned production, Government of Bihar said “Proper segregation of solid
circulation and use of polythene. However, polythene bags wastes, ensuring treatment of bio degradable waste
within the premises by the bulk generators, setting
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Environment and Energy Development Ramapati Kumar, up of treatment and disposal facilities and better
while welcoming the move, said the government should PDQDJHPHQW RI &RQVWUXFWLRQ 'HPROLWLRQ :DVWH
create necessary infrastructure for safe disposal of plastic & ' :DVWH ZLOO KHOS LQ EHWWHU ZDVWH PDQDJHPHQW LQ
and launch awareness drive to curb leakage in the policy.
“Otherwise, single use plastic would remain in circulation
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QRG IRU WKH KHDOWK GHSDUWPHQW·V SURSRVDO WR RIIHU ÀQDQFLDO
incentive to all health workers According to the landmark
decision it will also curb demand for plastic production
that is contributing to global climate change. According to
the direction, no person including a shopkeeper, vendor,
wholeseller, retailer, trader, hawker or a vegetable vendor
shall store, sell, distribute or use plastic carry bags for
storing or dispensing edible or non-edible goods within WKH 6WDWH µ +H KDV DOVR SODQQHG 0DWHULDO 5HFRYHU\
the jurisdiction of Municipal Corporations and Councils )DFLOLWLHV DW YDULRXV 8UEDQ /RFDO %RGLHV IRU SURSHU
and Nagar Panchayats. Earlier in 2018 The bench of Chief PDQDJHPHQW RI SODVWLF ZDVWHV 7KHUH LV D :DVWH WR
Justice M R Shah and Justice Ashutosh Kumar hearing a PIL Energy Facility in operation in East Champaran district
for banning the use of plastic or polythene bags had ruled for proper disposal of plastic wastes. “The progress in
WKH LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ RI WKH HQIRUFHPHQW RI 6ROLG :DVWH
in the favor of the ban. The court had taken note of a news
0DQDJHPHQW DQG 3ODVWLF :DVWH DUH EHLQJ PRQLWRUHG E\
report in a Hindi daily on the pollution in a pond located the State-Level Advisory Committee and State Level
on the premises of sacred Mahabodhi temple in Gaya.
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Plastics News July 2021 40