For the reduction of plastic use and better plastic waste management, Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rule, 2011

which is only applicable to the Municipal area that is revised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change into Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 which is applicable to every waste generator, local body, Gram Panchayat, manufacturer, importers and producer. The main changes or features of the rules are:

• Prohibition on thickness of plastic carry bag made of virgin or recycled plastic which increased from 40 micron to 50 microns in new rules.
• Responsibilities of waste generator is assigned and in case of failure, spot fine is in the provision.
• According to PWR, plastic manufacturers and retail establishments that use plastics are legally bound to collect back plastic waste. This is referred to as ‘extended producers responsibility’.
• Responsibilities also given to the plastic producer and brand owner to work out for waste collection system for collecting back the plastic waste within a period of six months in consultation with concerned authority and the department and implement within two years after that.
• The rules also mandate the responsibilities of local bodies, gram panchayats, waste generators and retailers to manage waste. This includes collecting and segregating recyclable plastic, non-recyclable plastic and other waste separately for processing.
• Street vendor and retailers can’t give the plastic carry bag free to the consumer. If they wish to give carry bag to the consumer then they have received the license from the local municipal authority and for that they have to pay Rs.48,000 per year in Local Municipal Authority. After getting the license, retailers or vendor can take the charge from consumer assigned by local authority.