Plastic Waste Management in Uttar Pradesh

What are the major guidelines of Uttar Pradesh Government with reference to Plastic Waste Management?

Approach: Introduce the answer by giving a brief background about the generation of plastic waste in UP and the regulatory framework to manage the same. In the body, highlight the major guidelines of the same. Conclude by bringing out their significance.

According to the CPCB, Uttar Pradesh is among the largest producers of plastic waste in the country (375950T in 2023). There are five major guidelines to govern the management of plastic waste in UP:

1. Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016
2. UP State Solid Waste Management Policy 2022
3. Notification regarding ban on Single-use plastic 2018
4. Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2021
5. Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2022

Guidelines

1. Reduction in plastic consumption through suitable alternatives (cloth, jute) and promoting reuse; maximum recovery of recyclable material resources through segregation, collection and re-processing (Circular Economy approach).
2. Effective segregation at the source should be promoted; adequate decentralized management of plastic waste including through the integration of the informal sector; local bodies must ensure proper collection of plastic waste (door-to-door, plastic collection centres).
3. Implementation of ban on the production, sale and use of plastic carry bags with thickness less than 50 microns; ban on single-use plastics (cutlery, plastic flags, straws etc); compostable and bio-degradable carry bags are allowed only after authorization/registration of CPCB.
4. All the Producers, Importers, Brand Owners (PIBO) and Plastic Waste Processors (PWP) have to register themselves under EPR portal of CPCB; PIBOs must submit their EPR plan to UPPCB for disposal of plastic waste generated from their packaging material.
5. Energy generation from waste can be promoted (plastic to oil, production of RDF); use of plastic waste in road construction can also be encouraged by the local bodies.
6. Creating awareness among all stakeholders about their responsibilities; b) engaging civil society (groups working with waste pickers), media and school children; c) ensuring that open burning of plastic waste does not take place.

These guidelines on plastic waste management reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing the growing problem of plastic pollution in the state.