Context: Plastic is the third most commonly used petroleum derivative in the world; each year 200 million tons of plastic are consumed on the planet. It comes from a non-renewable source (petroleum), it is contaminating and non-biodegradable (it can take more than 1000 years to decompose). In this context India has come out with rules to regulate the Plastic Waste Management rules, with its latest version in 2024, seeking to incentivize bioplastics.
Issues highlighted in the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2024:
- Biodegradable Plastics are those plastics which do not leave any micro plastics on degradation.
- But the rules don't specify any chemical tests to test the absence of microplastics. This makes it harder for makers of disposable plastic ware to label such products as biodegradable.
About: Bioplastics
- Biodegradable material that come from renewable sources.
- These are 100% degradable, equally resistant, and versatile, already used in agriculture, textile industry, medicine and, overall, in the container and packaging market
- PHA as bioplastic- These are polyesters produced by fermenting raw vegetable materials with a series of bacterial strains. For example, PHAs can be used for injection moulding to build automobile parts and for many other uses. Specifically, PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) is extracted from bacteria such as pseudomonas. In its natural form, it is similar to transparent kitchen film, with the difference that it is an authentic bioplastic.
Advantages of bioplastics
- They reduce carbon footprint
- They are providing energy savings in production.
- They do not involve the consumption of non-renewable raw materials
- Their production reduces non-biodegradable waste that contaminates the environment
- They do not contain additives that are harmful to health, such as phthalates or bisphenol A
- They do not change the flavour or scent of the food contained.
Uses of Bioplastics
It is expanding its use in various sectors:
- medical (prostheses)
- in food (catering products, disposable containers ...),
- toys, and even in the
- world of fashion (Versace has a clothing line Ingeo, made from corn) and, of course, biodegradable bags.
Salient Features of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2024
- Biodegradable plastics have been defined as any plastics, other than compostable plastics, which undergoes degradation by biological processes in specific environment such as soil, landfill, sewage sludge, fresh water, marine, without leaving any micro plastics or visible or distinguishable or toxic residue, which has adverse environment impact.
- The definition of “importer” has been made specific and now includes the imports of any plastic packaging/ commodity with plastic packaging/ carry bags/ plastic sheets/ plastic raw material, including in the form of resin/ pellets/ intermediate material used for manufacturing plastic packaging/ films/ preforms, for commercial use.
Note: Earlier, “importer” meant a person who imports plastic packaging or products with plastic packaging or carry bags or multi-layered packaging or plastic sheets or like.
- Earlier, “Manufacturer” meant and included a person/ unit/ agency engaged in production of plastic raw material to be used as raw material by the producer.
Now, it includes a person engaged in production of plastic raw material/ compostable plastics/ biodegradable plastics.
- Earlier, the ambit of the definition of “Producer” was limited to people engaged in manufacturing of plastic packaging. Now, it also includes persons engaged in: Manufacturing of intermediate material that is used for manufacturing plastic packaging; Contract manufacturing of products using plastic packaging or through other similar arrangements for a brand owner.
- Definition of “seller” has been inserted which means any person who sells plastic raw material for producing plastic packaging is a seller.
- Only the producers registered under these rules can get raw materials from the manufacturer.
- The manufacturers of compostable plastic/ biodegradable plastic carry bags or commodities permitted under the rules, will have to obtain a certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board (‘CPCB’) before marketing or selling. The manufacturer of compostable plastic/ biodegradable plastic will have to inform the CPCB, the quantity of such commodities introduced in the market and the pre-consumer waste generated by it.
- Enables the local body to assess: The plastic waste generated; Plastic waste management infrastructure available for collection/ segregation/ processing and send a report to the State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee by 30th June of each year; measures to prevent stocking, distribution, sale, and usage of prohibited single use plastic items in their jurisdiction.
- The Annual report will include plastic waste management infrastructure available for collection, segregation, processing; projection of plastic waste to be generated; status on framing and implementation on byelaws; Action taken to prevent stocking, distribution, sale, and usage of prohibited Single Use Plastic items.
- “Responsibility of Panchayat at District level” has been inserted which lays down similar responsibilities the local body has to assess.
- Another provision in the Protocols for compostable and biodegradable plastic materials has been inserted which says that the BIS should specify separate colour/ marking for plastic packaging and commodities made from compostable plastics/ biodegradable plastics.
- New provisions relating to “Marking or labelling”: The commodity made from compostable plastic will have to bear a label “compostable only under industrial composting” and shall conform to the Indian Standard. The commodity made from biodegradable plastic will have to bear the label —Biodegradable