Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding import of waste paper containing plastic, 10/09/2020
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Amit Jain Vs Union of India & Others dated 10/09/2020.
The issue for consideration was the remedial action against cheap waste paper and the road sweep waste import for firing of brick kilns. According to the applicant, 900,000 tons of waste is imported which is hazardous.
The matter had been considered earlier on several occasions and it was found that there was absence of proper mechanism for plastic waste management, including cheap waste paper and imported hazardous road sweep waste.
According to the CPCB, it had written to the MoEF&CC but the ministry had not taken any action.
The CPCB filed a report on October 10, 2019 to the effect that state pollution control board (SPCBs)/pollution control committee (PCCs) had provided information related to number of pulp and paper units importing waste paper containing plastic in their respective jurisdiction to CPCB. Out of 9 states, 3 states (Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Odisha) had issued directions to pulp and paper units which were involved in importing waste paper containing plastic in their state to manage imported waste paper containing plastic in accordance with the provisions of Plastic Waste Management Rules (PWM), 2018.
The NGT directed the MoEF&CC to file its response on the matter before October 14, 2020.