Plastic Waste Management Rules UPSC Notes: Provisions, Amendment & More

The Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016 mark a significant step forward in addressing the burgeoning issue of plastic pollution that plagues environments worldwide. These regulations aim to curb the indiscriminate use and disposal of plastic, which poses severe threats to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. By introducing comprehensive guidelines for the management, handling, and disposal of plastic waste, the rules strive to promote sustainable practices and foster a culture of responsible consumption and waste management. With a focus on extended producer responsibility, waste segregation, and recycling infrastructure development, the Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016 represent a pivotal framework in the global effort to combat plastic pollution and safeguard our planet for future generations.

The topic of Plastic Waste Management is important from UPSC CSE Prelims as well as Mains perspective as it is related to the Environment section from which a significant number of questions are asked. It is relevant under Biodiversity , Environment and Government Schemes and Policies as it touches important topics like local self government, good governance and government Acts apart from the environment section.

About Plastic Waste 

Plastic possesses various applications, and its advantageous physical and chemical properties contribute to its extensive utilization. However, the ecosystem faces a severe threat due to the improper disposal of plastic. Plastics, being human-made and non-biodegradable, can be shaped into finished products, composed of lengthy chain hydrocarbons with additional elements. Monomers such as ethylene, propylene, vinyl, styrene, and benzene form the building blocks of these polymers. Plastic derived from petroleum lacks the natural ability to decompose. Often, it enters the ocean or a landfill, becoming buried over time. After an extended period, plastic undergoes degradation, breaking down into tiny particles instead of disintegrating into a natural substance like soil. During this breakdown process, harmful chemicals, including additives used in plastic formation and hardening, are released into the environment and find their way into our food and water supplies. The presence of these toxic substances in the human bloodstream can lead to immune system impairment, cancer, infertility, birth abnormalities, and various other diseases.

Objectives of Plastic Waste Management Rules 

The rules notified in 2016 has the following objectives to tackle the menaces of plastic waste generation which pushed the government to develop a comprehensive waste management strategy:

• Thickness Standards: Increase the minimum thickness requirements for plastic sheets and carry bags from 40 to 50 microns, aiming to facilitate easier collection and recycling of plastic waste.
• Producers and Generators Responsibilities: Clearly define and establish the duties of plastic producers and generators. Implement a robust system obligating producers/brand owners to take responsibility for the collection of plastic waste as part of their extended producer responsibilities.
• Plastic Waste Management Fees: Introduce the collection of plastic waste management fees by initiating pre-registration processes for manufacturers, importers, and sellers of plastic carry bags and multilayered packaging.
• Sustainable Utilization: Encourage the utilization of plastic waste for road construction following the guidelines of the Indian Road Congress. Explore options such as energy recovery, waste-to-oil conversion, and other profitable waste utilization methods to address the challenge of waste disposal effectively.
• Increased Responsibility for Waste Generators: Impose additional responsibilities on waste generators, including the payment of user charges as specified by local authorities.

Read the article on Swacch Bharat Abhiyan!

Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016

The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 aim to:

• Increase minimum thickness of plastic carry bags from 40 to 50 microns and stipulate minimum thickness of 50 micron for plastic sheets also to facilitate collection and recycling of plastic waste.
•  Expand the jurisdiction of applicability from the municipal area to rural areas, because plastic has reached rural areas also.
• To bring in the responsibilities of producers and generators, both in the plastic waste management system and to introduce a collect back system of plastic waste by the producers/brand owners, as per extended producers responsibility.
• To introduce collection of plastic waste management fee through pre-registration of the producers, importers of plastic carry bags/multilayered packaging and vendors selling the same for establishing the waste management system. 
• To promote use of plastic waste for road construction as per Indian Road Congress guidelines or energy recovery, or waste to oil etc. for gainful utilization of waste and also address the waste disposal issue; to entrust more responsibility on waste generators, namely payment of user charge as prescribed by local authority, collection and handing over of waste by the institutional generator, event organizers.

Latest News Regarding Plastic Waste Management Rules in India

Recently, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) presented a report titled "Pollution caused by Plastic" in Parliament, following which the government notified the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024. It has some new provisions and revised one to make the rules more effective:

• Assessment Mechanism: According to the new rules, the Local body has been mandated to undertake an annual assessment of plastic waste generated, including plastic waste existing in dump sites. It will also estimate the quantity of plastic waste to be generated in the following five-year period. Additionally, the 2024 rules mandate the manufacturer of commodities made from compostable or biodegradable plastics to report the quantity of such commodities introduced in the market and pre-consumer waste generated to the CPCB.Earlier the PAC had pointed out that there was a lack of mechanism for assessment of generation of plastic waste (current and future).
• Centralised Portal for Registration: The rules provide for an online centralized portal for registration for Producers, Importers, Brand-Owners and manufacturers of commodities made from compostable plastic or biodegradable plastic.It also provides for default registration where the registration is not granted within a period of thirty days after the receipt of application complete in all respect. Earlier the PAC had pointed out that Plastic units have been functioning without valid registration due to lackadaisical approach of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), SPCBs, etc. 
• Elimination of Single Use Plastics (SUP): The 2024 rules now provide that Local body shall take necessary measures to prevent stocking, distribution, sale and usage of prohibited SUP items in their jurisdiction and submit annual report. Earlier the PAC had pointed out a delay in elimination of SUP as many states did not even ban them.
• Expansion of scope of EPR: The PAC had pointed out that there is an Absence of a uniform framework for EPR hampering development of a system for collecting and processing of plastic wastes. Now the Producers, Importers and Brand Owners who introduce any plastic packaging in the market shall be responsible for collection of such plastic packaging.
• Better Monitoring: For better monitoring of the rules, the 2024 Rules Provides for institutional mechanisms that can facilitate effective monitoring and ensure accountability and transparency.

We hope your doubts regarding the topic have been addressed after going through the above article. Testbook offers good quality preparation material for different competitive examinations. Succeed in your UPSC IAS exam preparations by downloading the Testbook App here!