60 cities found to generate staggering 3,501 tonnes a day The Supreme Court today directed all major municipal corporations across the country to file status reports on their management of hazardous plastic waste estimated at a staggering 3,501 tonnes a day in just 60 cities. A Bench comprising Justices GS Singhvi and Kurian Joseph passed the order after Additional Solicitor General Mohan Jain informed the court that as much as 15,342 tonnes of plastic waste was generated every day in the country posing a major problem to environment management and people’s health. A survey conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in the 60 cities showed that Delhi alone accounted for nearly 20 per cent (689.52 tonnes) of the total plastic waste generated by the 60 cities, followed by Chennai (429.39 tonnes), Kolkata (425.72 tonnes) and Mumbai (408.27 tonnes). The four metros alone had a share of nearly 56 per cent of plastic waste. Faridabad was found to generate 79.03 tonnes of such waste every day, followed by the tourist destinations of Agra (40.89 tonnes) and Jaipur (15.58 tonnes), Amritsar (24.42 tonnes), Ludhiana (50.68 tonnes) and Chandigarh (8.18 tonnes). Plastic waste generation was found to be very minimal in Shimla (2.23 tonnes), while the figures for Srinagar and Jammu were placed at 28.14 tonnes and 21.68 tonnes respectively. While 60 per cent of the plastic waste was being collected and recycled, the other 40 per cent remained uncollected and littered, it was found. The Bench also issued notices to all the state pollution control boards and the CPCB, asking them to file status reports on solid waste management. The SC passed the order while hearing a PIL on the non-implementation of the ban on the sale and manufacture of gutka and pan masala containing tobacco. The court has expanded the scope of the PIL to cover plastic waste management and subsequently banned packaging of these two products in plastic pouches or sachets. The apex court also directed the Health Secretaries of the states and Union Territories to file compliance reports on the enforcement of the ban on these two products. WORRYING NUMBERS The Central Pollution Control Board found that Delhi alone accounted for nearly 20% (689.52 tonnes) of the total plastic waste generated by the 60 cities it surveyed, followed by Chennai (429.39 tonnes), Kolkata (425.72 tonnes) and Mumbai (408.27 tonnes) The four metros alone contributed to 56% plastic waste The tourist destinations of Agra generated 40.89 tonnes of plastic waste followed by Jaipur (15.58 tonnes), Amritsar (24.42 tonnes), Ludhiana (50.68 tonnes) and Chandigarh (8.18 tonnes) Plastic waste generation was found to be very minimal in Shimla (2.23 tonnes), while the figures for Srinagar and Jammu were placed at 28.14 tonnes and 21.68 tonnes, respectively