The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on February 17, 2023, issued directions to airline operators for phasing out of Single Use Plastic (SUP) and obtaining Registration as per EPR Guidelines.
It has been observed that plastic packaging (more than 50 microns), without obtaining registration as per notified EPR Guidelines, is used by various operators in the Airlines sector which is in violation of PWM Rules 2016:
Directions are being issued for compliance:
i. To ensure that banned SUP items (as per MoEF&CC notification dated August 12, 2021), thin plastic sheets (less than 50 microns thickness), and thin plastic bags (less than 120 microns thickness) are not sold/ stocked/used in any form by your Airline.
ii. To obtain Registration as a Brand-owner/Producer/Importer (as applicable) under PWM Rules, 2016 (as amended) on the Centralized EPR portal, if using plastic packaging more than the 50-micron thickness in any form.
Necessary action for compliance with aforesaid directions shall be taken and the Action Taken Report is to be submitted to this office within 15 days of the issue of these directions, failing which appropriate action including levying of Environmental Compensation will be taken under the provision of Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
[Notification No. CP-20/117/2021-UPC-II-HO-CPCB-HO-Part(10)]
