NGT raps MoEF for not filing report on plea alleging pollution from import of plastic waste

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for not taking serious note and filing report on a plea alleging that burning of imported cheap waste paper and road sweep waste at brick kilns is causing air pollution,

Hearing a petition on import of huge quantity of plastic waste, the principal bench of the Tribunal headed by its chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel observed that there is an absence of a proper mechanism for plastic waste management, including cheap waste paper and imported hazardous road sweep waste.

While directing the Ministry to file its response before October 14, the bench said, "No report has been filed by the MoEF nor is anyone present which is happening in several important cases as already noted. The Joint Secretary of MoEF may remain present during the next hearing."

The Tribunal was hearing a petition filed by Amit Jain, who alleged that cheap waste paper and road sweep waste is imported from the US, Europe, and other places for burning in brick kilns, causing land and air pollution.

"Import of cheap waste paper is hazardous and harmful to the environment. The import was to the extent of 9,00,000 tons of waste which generates hazardous plastic," the petitioner said.

The NGT had earlier directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to ensure that no plastic bag less than 50 microns of thickness should be manufactured, stocked, sold and used in the country.