The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in India has made updates to their implementation process for managing hazardous waste. This change comes as part of the amendment to the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules from 2016. The changes aim to boost environmentally sound waste management across the country.
Overview of the Amendment
One of the key highlights of the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Amendment Rules, 2019, is the ban on importing solid plastic waste into the country. This includes both Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Oriented Units (EOUs).
Under these amendments, silk waste exporters are no longer required to seek permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Similarly, electrical and electronic assemblies and components manufactured and exported from India can be imported back within a year of exportation if found defective without obtaining clearance from the Ministry.
Exemption for Certain Industries
Certain industries that do not need consent under the statutes of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 will also be exempt from needing authorization under the new amendment. However, such industries must ensure that any hazardous waste they produce is managed by authorized actual users, waste collectors, or disposal centers.
Facts About Solid Plastic Waste Imports
| Financial Year | Imports (Tonnes) |
|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 12,000 |
| 2017-18 | 48,000 |
The Plastic Situation in India
India’s imports of solid plastic waste quadrupled from the fiscal year 2016-17 to 2017-18. The significant increase attributed largely to a legal loophole that allowed agencies in the SEZs to import PET bottles, which were initially banned in 2015 due to inadequate recycling facilities.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), used for making plastic bottles and food packaging materials, is valued for its economical, non-reactive, lightweight, and robust nature. However, plastic unsuitable for recycling is burnt, leading to toxic emissions or ends up in landfills, potentially contaminating soil and water sources.
India’s Plastic Waste Industry
Before China enacted a ban on plastic waste import, India was the 10th largest importer of plastic scrap. The country has now emerged as an alternative destination for recycling plastic waste. More than half (56%) of plastic waste produced in India gets recycled according to a 2012 study, thanks to the substantial informal sector involved in collecting and separating plastic waste. Despite these efforts, concerns remain about the widespread usage of plastic and failure of states to regulate single-use plastic bags. Finally, the focus must remain on reducing plastic usage while recycling continues.
