Plastic waste management

Plastic waste management:

1. Dr Fayaz A. Malla Assistant Professor, Environmental Sciences Higher Education Department, Govt. of J&K PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT

2. Introduction The term “Plastic” means material which contains as an essential ingredient a high polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, Vinyl, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene resins, multi-materials like acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, poly-phenylene oxide, polycarbonate, Polybutylene terephthalate;. Polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride & polystyrene are largely used in the manufacturing of plastics.

3. Types of plastic Based on Chemical Properties & BIS Classification (Notified under PWM Rules, 2016), there are seven categories of plastics) :-

4. Types of plastic

5. Plastics are generally categorized into two types Thermoplastics: Thermoplastics or Thermo-softening plastics are the plastics which soften on heating and can be molded into desired shape such as PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC, PS etc. Thermosets: Thermoset or thermosetting plastics strengthen on heating but cannot be remolded or recycled such as Sheet Molding Compounds (SMC), Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP), Bakelite etc. are the examples of the same.

6. Uses of plastic in daily life

7. Some important facts about Plastic

8. back-ground

9. back-ground

10. Back-Ground

11. Plastic Waste Generation in India

12. Total Annual Plastic Waste generation in J&K = 74826 MT/Annum (app.), with monthly average of 6200 MT (app.)

13. Only 60% of the plastic produced is recycled, balance 9400 Tonnes of plastic is left unattended in environment causing land, air and water pollution. 70% of Plastics packaging products are converted into plastic waste in a short span. The recycling of a virgin plastic material can be done 2-3 times only, because after every recycling, the plastic material deteriorates due to thermal pressure and its life span is reduced. Hence recycling is not a safe and permanent solution for plastic waste disposal. It has been observed that disposal of plastic waste is a serious concern due to improper collection and segregation system.

14. Sources of plastic waste

15. Environmental impacts

16. Harmful Effects of Plastics Groundwater and soil pollution : Plastic is a material made to last forever, and due to the same chemical composition, plastic cannot biodegrade; it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces. When buried in a landfill, plastic lies untreated for years. In the process, toxic chemicals from plastics drain out and seep into groundwater, flowing downstream into lakes and rivers. The seeping of plastic also causes soil pollution and have now started resulting in presence of micro plastics in soil. Pollution in Oceans: The increased presence of plastic on the ocean surface has resulted in more serious problems. Since most of the plastic debris that reaches the ocean remains floating for years as it does not decompose quickly, it leads to the dropping of oxygen level in the water, severely affecting the survival of marine species. Materials like plastic are non-degradable which means they will not be absorbed and recycled. When oceanic creatures and even birds consume plastic inadvertently, they choke on it which causes a steady decline in their population. Dangerous for human life Burning of plastic results into formation of a class of flame retardants called as Halogens. Collectively, these harmful chemicals are known to cause the following severe health problems: cancer, endometriosis, neurological damage, endocrine disruption, birth defects and child developmental disorders, reproductive damage, immune damage, asthma, and multiple organ damage.

17. Salient features of Plastic Waste Management (PWM Rules), 2016

18. Salient features of Plastic Waste Management (PWM Rules), 2016

19. Definition Extended Producer Responsibility Environmental protection strategy, Producers have been made responsible for environmentally sound management of the product until the end of its life Producer Responsibility Organisation Takes responsibility of Producers for collection and channelization of Plastic-waste generated from the ‘end –of-life’ of their products.

20. Responsibilities of Brand Owners, Producers and Importers (As per Rule 9) Phase-out use of non-recyclable multi-layered plastic in two years time. Producers within three months shall apply to SPCB/PCC for grant of registration. No Producer on an after of expiry of six month shall manufacture or use any plastic are multi-layered packaging without registration from SPCB/PCC.

21. Responsibilities of Brand Owners, Producers and Importers (As per Rule 9) Brand owners whose consent has been renewed before the notification of the rules - Shall submit such Action Plan within 1 year from date of notification of these Rules. - Shall implement the Action Plan within 2 years there-after. Producers shall maintain the record of plastic used as raw material to manufacture carry bags/ sheets etc.

22. Conditions ( Rule 4) Importer, manufacturer, stockiest, distributors, sale and use of plastic carry bags, sheets or like) Minimum thickness criteria not applicable for compostable carry-bags (conforming IS/ISO: 17088:2008 & having CPCB Certificate for marketing/selling) Minimum thickness (virgin or recycled): not < 50 micrometers. Manufacturers of plastic carry-bags shall register with SPCB/PCC.

23. Conditions ( Rule 4) Importer, manufacturer, stockiest, distributors, sale and use of plastic carry bags, sheets or like) Recycled carry bags not to be used for packing/storing/dispensing of food items etc. Each carry bag shall have name, registration number of manufacturer, thickness, “recycled” mark etc. as applicable. Plastic Sachets/Pouches ( Vinyl Acetate- Maleic Acid – Vinyl Chloride are not permitted for packing Gutkha , Pan Masala & Tobacco.

24. Marking & labeling Each materials made from plastic shall bear a label or a mark “recycled” as shown and shall conform to Indian Standard: IS:14534:1998 titles as “ Guidelines for Recycling of Plastics”

25. Products made from plastic shall bear a label “compostable” as shown and shall conform to Indian Standard: IS: 17088:2008 titles as “Specification for Compostable Plastics” Marking & labeling

26. Recycled plastics shall conform the Indian Standards IS 14534:1998 titled as Guidelines for Recycling of Plastics. Plastic sheets used for packaging, warping the commodity shall not be less than > 50 microns Conditions ( Rule 4) Importer, manufacturer, stockiest, distributors, sale and use of plastic carry bags, sheets or like)

27. Responsibilities of Waste Generators Institutional Generators shall segregate and store the waste generated and handover the segregated waste to disposal facilities or deposition centers. All waste generators shall pay such user fee or charge as specified in by-laws of local bodies for plastic waste management. Every person is responsible for organizing an event in Open Space, which involves serving of food stuff in plastic or multi-layered packaging shall segregate and manage the waste generated

28. Responsibilities of Local Body and Gram Panchayats (Rules 5 & 6 ) Setting up separate collection of bio-degradable (wet) and non-biodegradable (dry) waste like plastic. Ensuring open burning of plastic waste does not take place. Ensuring processing and disposal of plastic waste through Plastic Waste Management technologies. Ensuring channelization of recyclable plastic waste fraction to registered recyclers.

29. Responsibilities of Local Body and Gram Panchayats (Rules 5 & 6 ) Setting-up of system for plastic waste management with the assistance of producers. Creating awareness among all stakeholders about their responsibilities. Engaging civil societies or groups working with waste pickers.