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To formulate a strategy and an action programme for management of plastics waste, the Ministry of Environment & Forest constituted a Task Force comprising specialists, representatives of industry and civiv authorities. The Task force in this report (August 1997) recommended as package of preventive, promotional and mitigative (PPM) measures as also the modus operandi for their implementation. These include guidelines for compliance of environmental safety, specifications for restriction on recycling of poor quality plastics waste, deterrent penalties for littering, industry initiatives and collaboration with the civic authorities for improvement in plastic waste collection system, incentives for development and adoption for appropriate technologies and sustained campaigns for creating public awareness and involvement. Networking of concerned industry Associations, setting up of an Indian Centre for Plastics in Environment (ICPE) and constitution of an implementation and Monitoring Committee (IMC) were also suggested by the Task Force for follow-up of the recommendations. On the basis of the Task Force Report, several initiatives have been taken, while some are on the anvil. The Ministry of Environment & Forest has issued a Gazette Notification prohibiting the use of recycled plastic for storing and carrying food staff. To restrict the indiscriminate use of plastic carry bags, the notification also stipulates the minimum thickness for such carry bags. Public awareness programmes have also been launched. This issue of the PRIVESH deals with various aspects of plastics - ranging from their demand and production to their environmental implications, strategies and action point to deal with the problem. We hope, this issue will enlighten the people about the measure taken by the Government and also the measures which are required to be taken by the concerned organisations as well as public at large | |||||||
 Dilip Biswas Chairman, CPCB |
