Plastic waste management rules

[Balasubrmaniyan]

Is plastic container (PET Bottles - Bisleri cans) a Hazardous waste or a Dry waste. The Bangalore organization in which I work generates huge quantity of this plastic waste.

 

Can anyone suggest if this waste needs to be disposed to KSPCB approved vendors or we can dispose to any BBMP waste collectors.

 

Do let me know the rule and regulation to comply if any.

[Sanjay Mittal]

PET bottles are used to make carpets now a days. I do not know whether it is approved from MOEF or not but seems it is a environment friendly solution.

First pet bottles are cut to make flakes/chips & than thread is drawn & lastly carpet is weaved. I have not seen but heard that excellent quality carpets are made out of waste PET bottles.

[Ankita Jena]

As per my understanding, there is no regulation in India that deals with the PET bottles. Plastic (Management & Handling) Rules 2011 only talks about carry bags and sachets. 

You are every right in saying that PET bottles are environmentally unfriendly and needs proper handling but we don't have any system in place to deal with this waste. Currently the PET bottles are recycled:

1. Mostly in the informal sector

2. Some amount is recycled to manufacture polyester yarn

3. There are few big waste collection agencies like Chintan who collect PET bottles and recycle it in a proper way

Hope this information help you in some way

[Chitra Rajesh]

Plastic containers are under Dry waste category. There are now efforts in many places to reuse them. some make carpets. Some use the plastic bottles filling soil in them, for single storied structures.

Have pasted below few links for your information.

http://www.offgridworld.com/bulletproof-fireproof-house-made-from-u...

http://www.inspirationgreen.com/plastic-bottle-homes.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPxXH7rCSHQ

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14722179

[Upasana Choudhry]

The initiative you have taken on behalf of your organization is commendable.

In one of the response it has already been clarified that this category falls under the Municipal and Solid Waste (MSW).

Generally to ascertain if anything is classified as Hazardous waste you may refer to the Hazardous waste Rules which defines characteristics on basis of which it can be determined.

In case of waste arising from PET bottles, your organization should understand that its a resource and hence should not be landfilled. It is a good practice to segregate such waste (PET, paper metal etc) and hand them over for recycling. Since you are based in Bangalore you may contact Saahas (an NGO) which works with waste collectors and they may help you wish a solution. 

In my view, whichever organisation we may engage, we  should ask for information on materials flow and the downstream vendors to ensure that these products are handled in an environmentally sound manner. In a way this applies to any waste type that you hand over for disposal.

[Ankita Jena]

I agree completely with Upasana Mam. Downstream flow of waste is very critical. It would be completely useless if waste flows back to the informal sector who use crude methods to recycle PET bottles. 

Your responsibility doesn't stop just by giving your waste way. It actually starts when you make sure that it is being recycled in environment friendly manner. 

Upasana Choudhry said:

The initiative you have taken on behalf of your organization is commendable.

In one of the response it has already been clarified that this category falls under the Municipal and Solid Waste (MSW).

Generally to ascertain if anything is classified as Hazardous waste you may refer to the Hazardous waste Rules which defines characteristics on basis of which it can be determined.

In case of waste arising from PET bottles, your organization should understand that its a resource and hence should not be landfilled. It is a good practice to segregate such waste (PET, paper metal etc) and hand them over for recycling. Since you are based in Bangalore you may contact Saahas (an NGO) which works with waste collectors and they may help you wish a solution. 

In my view, whichever organisation we may engage, we  should ask for information on materials flow and the downstream vendors to ensure that these products are handled in an environmentally sound manner. In a way this applies to any waste type that you hand over for disposal.

[abdul fasi]

Mr.balasubramanian,

as fully agree with Upasanaji,

follow the rules as per KSPCB with the help of NGO"s

Fasi

[Dr Debbie Bartlett CMLI FIEEM]

So glad you are doing some work on this issue!  I'm just back from Gujarat and was absolutely horrified at the level of plastic waste absolutely everywhere .......

I was particularly upset by the behavior of some 'environmental' scientists.  I was offered organic juice from a farm outlet by an environmental scientist who was taking us to visit a farm to see the innovative environmentally beneficial work being carried out and was absolutely horrified to see the plastic drink cups being thrown out of the car onto the ground as we went in the farm gate!

If those interested in the environment don't set an example by their behaviour what hope is there for improvement?

In England you can be given an on the spot fine for dropping a single cigarette but and we have community litter collection days, particularly on beaches where plastic is washed up on the tides.

[Dr Harish KJ]

Check out

Plastic Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011: Section 6.c & d

[Srikanth Meesa]

You can contact recycle guru who would also pay you for the plastic wealth(waste). http://recycleguru.in/