GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF STEEL
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 821
FOR ANSWER ON 07.02.2024
REDUCTION IN SCRAP AND PLASTIC WASTE
821. MS. DEBASREE CHAUDHURI:
Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a) whether the scrap and plastic waste can be used in steel manufacturing, thereby reducing the amount of coal required in the process and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the amount of plastic waste that can be consumed by the steel industry annually and consequently the amount of carbon usage that will get reduced in this regard;
(c) whether the Government has set in place any standards for companies to use a certain amount of scrap and plastic waste in manufacturing each year; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE (SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)MINISTRY OF STEEL

(a)&(b): Potential exists for consumption of waste plastics by the Indian steel industry.Waste plastics can be used as replacement of coking coal (by up to 1%) in coke making. Waste plastics can also be added in marginal quantities in Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) as replacement of pet coke.
(c)&(d): As per Plastic Waste Management Rules (PWM-2016) and subsequent amendment vide gazette notification G.S.R. 522(E) dated 06th July, 2022, issued by the MOEF&CC, only “End-of-Life Disposal” plastic is allowed for co-processing in the steel industry and other waste plastic which can be recycled has been mandated for recycling only. Presently, availability of “End-of-Life Disposal” waste plastic is a major constraint. Under the aforesaid Plastic Waste Management Rules, the municipalities/ local bodies are responsible for the creation and establishment of the plastic waste
segregation, collection, storage, transportation, processing, and disposal system either on their own or by engaging agencies or manufacturers.