Take action against local bodies flouting plastic disposal rules: NGT

‘Plastic bags with leftover food get mixed with garbage, resulting in harmful diseases’

To ensure strict implementation of a rule that bans the use of plastic bags which are less than 50 microns in thickness, the western region bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the state level advisory committee (SLAC) of the Maharashtra government to submit a detailed report on action taken against local civic bodies that have failed to implement rules on the disposal of plastic. The action, taken under provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, includes prosecution of local bodies — such as municipal corporations, municipal councils and zilla parishads —- that have failed to implement Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.

In response to a petition filed by Sangli-based lecturer Ravindra Shinde, the NGT bench of Justice U D Dalvi and expert member Nagin Nanda said that the SLAC is an authority established under Rule 16 of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, to effectively monitor and implement the rules. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) told the green court that of the 257 local bodies, only 193 local bodies have submitted a status report, disclosing identification of temporary places for the deposit and collection of non-bio-degradable garbage.

The NGT bench said, “Obviously, other local bodies have done nothing in the matter despite the obligation being cast upon them under the rules to ensure segregation, collection and disposal of plastic waste vide sub clause of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2011”. It said the SLAC should submit a complete report, giving details of local bodies that have identified places for deposit or collection of non-bio-degradable waste, with particulars of such places, and action they have taken against the non-performing local bodies.

In his petition, Shinde pointed out that plastic, the most important and preferred material in industries, posed a threat to the environment, as well as the consumers’ health. “When plastic bags are not disposed of properly, they find their way into the drainage systems, resulting in the chocking of drains, creating unhygienic environment and causing water-borne diseases,” he said, adding that plastic bags containing leftover food get mixed with the garbage, resulting in harmful diseases. Plastic bags, which are non-biodegradable, contaminate the soil.

While the rules are in place, local bodies have not been implementing them effectively and no strict action has been taken against those violating it, said Shinde. On August 10, the NGT bench in Delhi had declared a fine of Rs 5,000 on anyone carrying a ‘thin’ plastic bag of less than 50 microns thickness in the national capital, as they have been banned under the Plastic Waste Management rules.