Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 21: State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has sought the cooperation of the manufacturers in doing away with the menace of polythene bags (below 50 micros) in the State.
A meeting with the Polythene Carry Bags Manufacturers Association (above 50 microns) was held under the chairmanship of Ravi Kumar Kesar, Chairman, J&K Pollution Control Board here today, where in BM Sharma, Member Secretary, Shally Ranjan, Regional Director, SPCB, Jammu, MM Shah, Legal Advisor other senior officers were present.
Kesar expressed his concern over the menace of polythene carry bags below 50 microns in the open market despite the clear ban by the State Government. He advised the manufacturers to come up with a ‘buy-back action plan’ under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) involving State Urban Development Department either individually or collectively through their own distribution channel or through the local body concerned. He also advised manufacturers to involve rag pickers and scrap dealers, who have easy access in Mohallas to collect the used polythene or they shall also constitute a producer responsibility organisation/ agency for effective management of the plastic waste.
Member Secretary, SPCB stressed upon all the polythene manufacturers to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations of the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018 and other such SROs issued by the State Govt from time to time.
Regional Director, emphasised upon all the manufacturers of polythene carry bags of Jammu region to come forward and inform the Board about the illegal manufacturing/trading of polythene carry bags below 50 Micron, so that noose can be tightened around this illegal trade.
Members of the Association promised to extend their full cooperation in the implementation of the Plastic Waste Management Rules and also in providing the information regarding the illegal manufacturers and the traders of the banned polythene. They also promised to buy back the used polythene bags at about Rs 30/kg and also give wide publicity regarding this campaign to give awareness among the general masses to give up the practice of “throw away culture ” and instead adopt environment friendly practices.
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