The Government has notified the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, in suppression of the earlier Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011.

The Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar, said here today that the minimum thickness of plastic carry bags has been increased from 40 microns to 50 microns. He stated that 15, 000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated every day, out of which 9, 000 tonnes is collected and processed, but 6, 000 tonnes of plastic waste is not being collected. Shri Javadekar also said that the rules, which were admissible upto municipal areas, have now been extended to all villages. The Minister said that notifying the new Plastic Waste Management Rules is a part of the revamping of all Waste Management Rules. “This will help in achieving the vision of our Prime Minister of Swacchh Bharat and cleanliness is the essence of health and tourism”, Shri Javadekar added.

The draft rules, namely the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2015 were published by the Government of India videG.S.R. 423(E), dated the 25^th May, 2015 in the Gazette of India, inviting public objections and suggestions. read more