AMC notifies new plastic waste bylaws

AHMEDABAD: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has notified new plastic bylaws with provision to levy a fine of Rs 100 to Rs 50,000 on users and manufacturers for using plastic below 50 microns. The new rules also make it mandatory for the manufacturer, traders and plastic recycler to register themselves.

The cost of the registration will vary from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000. Standing committee Chairman Amul Bhatt said “The Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 have been notified by both the Centre and state government and the same was adopted by the municipal corporation.

Bhatt said users, manufacturers and even dealers have to segregate plastic waste from other waste and if they fail to do so they will face a hefty fine.

The chairman said that even plastic knife, spoons and forks made from recycled material or those meant for single use, but not meeting the standards, have been totally banned under the law. The user will also be liable for punishment if using plastic products below 50 microns, apart from the manufacturer, said AMC officials.

The new rules state that brands that pack their product in plastic or plastic bottles will have to make their own arrangement for disposal of their products. According to the rules it is the extended responsibilities of the producer. The AMC has also decided that under these rules they will set up a treatment and processing facility for waste plastic.

Bhatt said AMC will also levy charges for plastic waste management under the rules on manufacturers.

AMC officials said that the new rules promote use of plastic waste for road construction according to Indian Road Congress guidelines or energy recovery, or waste to oil etc. for gainful utilization of waste and also address the waste disposal issue. The AMC itself will set up a recycling facility in the long term.