New Delhi, Dec 7 (Agency) Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ashwini Kumar Choubey on Thursday said unmanaged plastic waste has adverse impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.In a written reply to a Rajya Sabha question regarding ban on plastic items, the Minister said the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, provides the statutory framework for plastic waste management in an environmentally sound manner throughout the country.
Considering the adverse effect of littered single-use plastic items on terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems, the Ministry notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, on August 12, 2021, prohibiting the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of identified single-use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential.He further said the notification also prohibits the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of plastic carry bags having a thickness less than one hundred and twenty microns.