06-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Fake biodegradable plastic a worry, no regulation or crackdown
BENGALURU: Plastic waste management continues to be a challenge for the authorities: Plastic materials are often passed off as biodegradable items, while at the household level. the way plastic items are handled is a concern.
The Union government banned single-use plastic and issued directions to encourage other recyclable items on July 1, 2022. It was part of Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021. The government issued a notification for the ban on August 12, 2021. However, there has been little impact on ground.
Experts say that despite awareness, people continue to use plastic bottles and carry bags as the government has been unable to regulate their manufacture and use.
A senior Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) official from Delhi admitted that the drive to control plastic menace has reduced over time. An official from Karnataka regional CPCB office said that earlier. inspections were done on a monthly basis and urban local bodies officials were also guided. This has now come down.
Divya Tiwari, adviser, Saahas, NGO working on waste management said, despite clear definitions on plastic waste management rules, ground operations continue to be an issue. Biodegradable plastic is seen as an alternative to plastic, but most are fake. 'We are demanding the government have a colour code of them with proper identification for people to know. Visual distinction of biodegradable plastic is a challenge,' she said, adding that ideally biodegradbale plastic should self degrade in 90 days, but fake items take 180-200 days.
Experts also pointed out that the government has no method of collection and disposal of biodegradable plastic, which makes matters worse. Industries handling plastic waste are not accepting biodegradable plastic items due to their poor quality. This apart, small plastic items are adding to the menace.
Tejaswini Ananthkumar, Chairperson and co-founder of Adamya Chetana Foundation, said more awareness on plastic waste management is needed. People can do their little bit by simply not cutting the edge of their milk/curd plastic packets. 'This is being told since 2019. Collecting and recycling small plastic is difficult. It has become a large contributor to plastic pollution and has now entered the food chain. Another concern is the use of paper glasses for they have plastic linings and in 15 minutes, a cup filled with tea/coffee generates 25,000micro plastic.'
