Ban on use of plastics for packaging tobacco products

• The Environment Ministry on Monday issued a notification banning the use of plastics for packaging gutka and other tobacco products after it was pulled up by the Supreme Court for not implementing the law regulating the use of the environmentally harmful polymers.
• The Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 also bans the packaging of foodstuffs in recycled plastics or compostable plastics.
• On February 2, the Supreme Court had refused to grant more time to the Centre for implementing the law to regulate the use of plastic for packaging tobacco products and asked it to notify that within two days.
• The new notification replaces the earlier Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999 (amended in 2003).
• Under the new Rules, recycled carry bags shall conform to specific Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
• "Plastic carry bags shall either be white or only with those pigments and colourants which are in conformity with the bar prescribed by the BIS. This shall apply expressly for pigments and colourants to be used in plastic products which come in contact with foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and drinking water.
• The new rules say that plastic carry bags shall not be less than 40 microns in thickness. Under the earlier rules, the minimum thickness was 20 microns.
• According to the new rules, the minimum size (of 8x12 inches) for the plastic carry bags prescribed under the earlier Rules has been dispensed with.