GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1477
TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2021
Ban on plastic less than 50 micron thickness
1477. SHRI BRIJLAL:

(a) whether it is a fact that the use of bags, sheets made of plastic and other such

materials with thickness less than 50 microns have been banned;

(b) whether all the States, Government and Non-Government Organizations have been instructed to implement this strictly; and

(c) the details of the steps being taken in order to prevent the use of plastic with less than 50 microns of thickness?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) to (c):The Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016, prohibits manufacture, import,

stocking, distribution, sale and use of carry bags and plastic sheets less than fifty microns in

thickness in the country. There is complete ban on sachets using plastic material used for

storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala. The Plastic Waste Management

Rules provide the regulatory framework for management of plastic waste generated in the

country. All the stakeholders including State / Union Territory Governments, and Nongovernmental organizations, from time to time, are made aware about the effective

implementation of the provision contained in the Rules including those on the restriction on

thickness of plastic sheets and carry bags.

Directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, have been issued

to all States/Union Territories for setting up for institutional mechanism for strengthening

enforcement of PWM Rules. Guidelines for assessment of Environmental Compensation for

Violation of PWM Rules, 2016, have also been issued. These Guidelines have provisions for

penal action including seizure of goods and levy of environmental compensation for violation

of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, which restricts thickness of carry bags/plastic

sheets to 50 microns. States and Union Territories, where required, take action on noncompliance of