Report of the Expert Committee to examine the comments and suggestions including economic instruments in the draft Plastics (Manufacture, Usage and Waste Management) Rules, 2009
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) notified the draft "Plastics (Manufacture, Usage and Waste Management) Rules, 2009" to replace the Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999 (amended in 2003) to regulate the manufacture and usage of plastic carry bags. The draft rules were widely published for public comments. An expert committee was constituted by the (MoEF) to examine these comments and to suggest economic instruments. The Committee recognized that lack of organized system for segregation, collection of plastic waste is a matter of concern and that without proper waste management, the objectives of the Rules would not be achieved. Such a system has to take into account the entire lifecycle of plastic and requires cooperation of municipalities, manufacturers, retailers and consumers of plastic products. The Committee suggested that the title of the new rules be changed to the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2010 to reflect its focus. It agreed to preserve the size and thickness provisions as in the 2009 draft rules and suggested that the terminology