Question

In accordance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, what is the minimum permissible thickness of plastic carry bags?
1. 25 microns
2. 20 microns
3. 50 microns
4. 30 microns

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : 50 microns

The Correct Answer is 50 microns.

• In order to remove previous Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Regulations, 2011, the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, by increasing the minimum thickness of plastic transport bags from 40 to 50 microns.
• The 2016 Plastic Waste Management Rules seek to raise the minimum thickness of plastic carry bags from 40 to 50 microns and to specify a minimum thickness of 50 microns for plastic sheets in order to also promote the processing and recycling of plastic waste; to extend the jurisdiction of applicability from the municipal to rural areas, as plastic has also entered rural areas.
•  They also seek to incorporate the obligations of manufacturers and generators, both in the plastic waste management system and the implementation by producers/brand owners of the recovery system of plastic waste, in line with the extended obligation of producers.
• The rules also attempt to incorporate, through pre-registration of manufacturers, importers of plastic carrying bags/multilayered packaging and vendors selling the same for the establishment of the waste management system, the collection of the plastic waste management tax.