3.4 million tonnes of plastic waste generated in 2019-20

At least 3.4 million tonnes per annum (TPA) of plastic waste was generated in 2019-20, of which approximately 1.5 million TPA was recycled and 0.16 million TPA co-processed in cement kilns.

A portion of unprocessed and littered plastic waste can find its way through surface bodies like rivers into the sea, Bhupender Yadav, Union environment minister, told the Lok Sabha December 20, 2021.

The Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, prohibit the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of plastic carry bags with thickness less than 75 microns with effect from September 30, 2021, and that having a thickness less than 120 microns with effect from December 31, 2022, Yadav added.