In a landmark move, the Indian government has banned import of solid plastic waste into the country including in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and by Export Oriented Units (EOU), an official statement said on Wednesday.
The Environment Ministry has amended the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, to invigilate the implementation of environmentally sound management of hazardous waste in the country.
It further went on to say that the amendment has been done keeping in mind the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and boosting ‘Make in India’ initiative by systematically breaking the procedures under the Rules. Along with it, it has also upheld the principles of sustainable development and thereby ensuring minimal damage to the environment.
The Rules also have exempted exporters of silk waste from requiring permission from the ministry.
It also said that any defective electrical and electronic assemblies and components manufactured in and exported from India, can now be imported back into the country, within a year of export, without taking permission from the ministry.
The statement added that the industries which would not require any consent under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981, have now been exempted from requiring authorization also under the Rules, as long as hazardous and other wastes generated by such industries are handed over to the authorised actual users, waste collectors or disposal facilities.
