1

PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT

A Community service Project Report is submitted to
PACE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCES
(AUTONOMOUS)
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
IN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DURING 2020-2024

SUBMITTED BY

ADAKA PRAVALLIKA 20KQ1A1201

NARAHARASETTI KARTHIK 20KQ1A1243
SHAIK SAI PRIYA 20KQ1A1220
INAMPUDI AKSHAYA 20KQ1A1211
SHAIK IRFAN 20KQ1A1250

Under the esteemed guidance of

Mr. K. Manohara Rao M.Tech, (Ph.D)
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
PACE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCES

1
 PACE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCES
(AUTONOMOUS)
Valluru-523272
(Affiliated to J.N.T.University.KAKINADA)
DEPATMENT OF

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Community Service Project

Title: PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT

Name of the Student: SHAIK SAIPRIYA

Name of the College: PACE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCES

Registration Number: 20KQ1A1220

Period of CSP: 6 weeks From: 12-06-2023 To: 22-07-2023

Name & Address of the Community/Habitation:Pellur

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 PACE INSTITUTE OF TEC3HNOLOGY AND SCIENCES
(AUTONOMOUS)
Valluru-523272
(Affiliated to J.N.T.University.KAKINADA)

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Community Service Project

CERTIFICATE

This is to Certify that the Debonair record of Community Service project work
entitled Plastic Waste Management done by, M s. SHAIK SAIPRIYA, III-II B.Tech,
H.T.No: 20KQ1A1220 during the year 2022-2023.

Faculty-In-Charge Head of the Department

External
3
 PROGRAM BOOK
FOR
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

Name of the Student: SHAIK SAIPRIYA

Name of the College: PACE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCES

Registration Number: 20KQ1A1220

Period of CSP: 6 Weeks From: 12-06-2023 To: 22-07-2023

Name & Address of the Community / Habitation:Pellur

 5

InstructionstoStudents for Community Service Project

Please read the detailed Guidelines on Community Service Project hosted

on the website of AP State Council of Higher Education https://
apsche.ap.gov.in

Link: https://apsche.ap.gov.in/Pdf/
Guidelines%20for%20the%20OJT%20Internship
%20Community%20Service%20Project.pdf

1. It is mandatory for all the students to complete 2 months (180 hours) of

Community Service Project as a part of the 10-month mandatory internship/

on the job training.

2. Consider yourself a committed volunteer in the community, you work with.
3. Every student should identify the village/community/habitation for

Community Service Project (CSP) in consultation with the College

Principal/the authorized person nominated by the Principal.

4. Report to the community/habitation as per the schedule given by the

College. You must make your own arrangements for transportation to reach

the community/habitation.

5. You will be assigned a Faculty Guide from your College. He/She will be

creating Whats App group with your fellow volunteers. Post your daily

activity done and/or any difficulty you encounter during the programme.

6. You should maintain punctuality in attending the CSP. Daily attendance is

compulsory.

7. You are expected to learn about the community/habitation and their

problems.
8. Know the leaders and the officials of the community/habitation.
9. While in the project, always wear your College Identity Card.
10. If your College has a prescribed dress as uniform, wear the uniform daily.
11. Identify at least five learning objectives in consultation with

yourFacultyGuide. These learning objectives can address:

• Information about the community, including the realities and
5
 problems of the society.
• Need for creating awareness on socially relevant aspects/programs.
• Acquiring specific Life Skills.
• Learning areas of application of knowledge and technologies related
toyourdiscipline.
• Identifying developmental needs of the community/habitation.

12. Practice professional communication skills with team members, and with the

leaders and officials of the community. This includes expressing thoughts and

ideas effectively through oral, written, and non-verbal communication, and

utilizing listening skills.

13. Be regular in filling up your Program Book. It shall be filled up in

your own handwriting. Add additional sheets wherever necessary.
14. At the end of Community Service Project, you shall be evaluated by

the person in-charge of the community/habitation to whom you

reportto.

15. There shall also be an evaluation at the end of the community service
theFaculty Guide and the Principal.
16. Do not indulge in any political activities.
17. Ensure that you do not cause any disturbance to the inhabitants or

households during your interaction or collection of data.

18. Be cordial but not too intimate with the people you come across during your

service activities.

19. You should understand that during this activity, you are the ambassador

of your College, and your behavior during the community service program

is of utmost importance.

20. If you are involved in any discipline related issues, you will be withdrawn
from the program immediately and disciplinary action shall be initiated.
21. Do not forget to keep up your family pride and prestige of your College.

22. Remember that you are rendering valuable service to the society and your role

in the community development will become part of the history of the

community.
 7

Community Service Project Report

Submitted in accordance with the requirement for the degree of B. TECH

Name of the college: PACE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCES

Department: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Name of the Faculty Guide:K. MANOHARA RAO

Duration of the CSP: 6 weeks From : 12-06-2023 To : 22-07-2023

Name of the student: SK SAIPRIYA (20KQ1A1220)

Program of Study: UNDER GRADUATION

Year of Study: IIIrd Year

Date of Submission:
7
 Student’s Declaration
I, SK . SAI PRIYA (20KQ1A1211), students of UNDER
GRADUATION, Program of department of Computer Science and Information
Technology, PACE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCES, do
hereby declare that I have completed the mandatory community service project
from 12-06-2023 to 22-07-2023 in P e l l u r under the faculty guide ship of Mr.
K. Manohara rao Department of Information Technology in PACE INSTITUTE
OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCES.

(Signature and date)

Endorsements

Faculty guide: Mr. K. Manohara Rao M.Tech, (Ph.D)

Head of the Department: Dr. A. Seshagiri Rao, M.Tech, Ph.D

Principal: Dr. G. V. K. Murthy, M.Tech, Ph.D

 9

Certificate from Official of

the Community

This is to certify that (Name of the Community

Service Volunteer) Reg. No 20KQ1A1220 of PACE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND
SCIENCES, (Name of the College) underwent community service in Pellur. (Name of the
Community) from 12-06-2023 to 22-07-2023, The overall performance of the Community
Service Volunteer during his/her community service is found to be (Satisfactory/Good).

Authorized Signatory with Date and Seal

9
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

At the outset, we thank the Lord Almighty for the grace, strength and hope to make our
endeavor a success.

We would like to place on record the deep sense of gratitude

Er.M.VENUGOPALB.E.,MBA,D.M.M, Chairman of PACE Institute of Technology&

Sciences for providing necessary facilities to carry the concluded project work.

We express our gratitude to Er.M.SRIDHARM.Tech,MBA., Secretary & Correspondent of

PACE Institute of Technology & Sciences for providing us with adequate facilities, ways
and means by which we were able to complete this project work.

Our sincere thanks to Dr.G.V.K.MURTHYM.Tech,Ph.D, the Principal of PACE Institute

of Technology & Sciences to carry out a part of the work outside the campus and hence
providing us an utmost congenial atmosphere.

We were highly indebted to Dr. A. SESHAGIRI RAO M.Tech.Ph.D., the Head of the Department, IT
of PACE Institute of Technology & Sciences for providing us the necessary expertise whenever
necessary.

We thank our Project Guide Mr. K. Manohara Rao, M.Tech, (Ph.D) for his outstanding
support throughout the project for the successful completion of the work.

Last but not least, we thank the Project Coordinator, Teaching and Non-teaching
staff of the department and especially our team members and parents who in one way or
another helped us in the successful completion of this work.

Submitted By:

SK.SAIPRIYA
(20KQ1A1220)
Contents

1. Plastic Waste: A Global Concern 1

1.1 Harmful Effects of Plastics 2

2. Plastic Waste Generation in India 5

3. Plastic Waste Management 6

3.1 Types of Plastics 6

3.2 Plastic Waste Management (PWM Rules), 2016 7

3.3 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recovery 8

3.3. Reduce 9
1

3.3. Reuse 18
2

3.3. Recycle 18
3

3.3. Recovery 42
4
4. Way Forward 46

4.1 Ten step Roadmap for Governments 46

4.2 Adoption of ‘Circular Economy’ 47

4.3 Extended Producer’s Responsibilities (EPR) 48

References 52

Annexure 53

I. Ban on ‘one time use’ and ‘throwaway’ Plastics in Tamil Nadu 53

II. Ban on use of plastic carry bags in Himachal Pradesh 56

III. Ban on manufacturing and use of ‘Thermocol Cutlery’ in Himachal Pradesh 59

IV. Ban on sale and use of disposable items made from Styrofoam in Sikkim 61
V. Government order for the Use of Plastics in Road construction. 62
Vi. Use of Plastic in Tamil Nadu while constructing Roads 65
1. Plastic Waste: A Global Concern1
Plastic products have become an integral part of our or groundwater resources. While some kinds of plastic
daily life as a result of which the polymer is produced do not decompose at all, others could take up to 450
at a massive scale worldwide. On an average, produc- years to break down. The figure captures per capita
tion of plastic globally crosses 150 Million tonnes per plastic consumption in FY 2014-15.
year. Its broad range of application is in packaging
films, wrapping materials, shopping and garbage Plastics are not inherently bad, and they have many
bags, fluid containers, clothing, toys, household and redeeming ecological features. Many of the techniques we
industrial products, and building materials. utilize in our designs involve targeted use of plastic
products. Their durability and low maintenance reduce
It is estimated that approximately 70% of plastic material replacement, their light weight reduces shipping
packaging products are converted into plastic waste energy, their formulation into glue products allows for the
in a short span. Approximately 9.4 million TPA plastic creation of engineered lumber and sheet products from
waste is generated in the country, which amounts to recycled wood, and their formulation into superior
2
26,000 TPD . Of this, about 60% is recycled, most of insulation and sealant products improves the energy
it by the informal sector. While the recycling rate in performance of our structures.
India is considerably higher than the global average of
3
20% , there is still over 9,400 tonnes of plastic waste Once plastic is discarded after its utility is over, it is

which is either landfilled or ends up polluting streams known as plastic waste. It is a fact that plastic waste
13
never degrades, and remain on landscape for several desirable traits: its durability and resistance to
years. Mostly, plastic waste is recyclable but recycled decomposition, is also the source of one of its greatest
products are more harmful to the environment as this liabilities when it comes to the disposal of plastics.
contains additives and colors. The recycling of a Natural organisms have a very difficult time breaking
virgin plastic material can be done 2-3 times down the synthetic chemical bonds in plastic,
only, because after every recycling, the plastic creating the tremendous problem of the material’s
material deteriorates due to thermal pressure persistence. A very small amount of total plastic
and its life span is reduced. Hence recycling is production (less than 10%) is effectively recycled;
not a safe and permanent solution for plastic the remaining plastic is sent to landfills, where it is
waste disposal. It has been observed that disposal destined to remain entombed in limbo for hundreds of
of plastic waste is a serious concern due to improper thousands of years, or to incinerators, where its toxic
collection and segregation system. compounds are spewed throughout the atmosphere to
be accumulated in biotic forms throughout the
Only 60% of the plastic produced is recycled, surrounding ecosystems
balance 9400 Tonnes of plastic is left
unattended in environment causing land, air • Groundwater and soil pollution
and water pollution. Plastic is a material made to last forever, and due to
the same chemical composition, plastic cannot
70% of Plastics packaging products are biodegrade; it breaks down into smaller and smaller
converted into plastic waste in a short span 5
pieces . When buried in a landfill, plastic lies untreated
for years. In the process, toxic chemicals from plastics
1.1.Harmful Effects of Plastics drain out and seep into groundwater, flowing
Plastic is versatile, lightweight, flexible, moisture downstream into lakes and rivers. The seeping of
4
resistant, strong, and relatively inexpensive . Those plastic also causes soil pollution and have now started
are the attractive qualities that lead us, around the resulting in presence of micro plastics in soil.
world, to such a voracious appetite and over-
consumption of plastic goods. However, durable and • Pollution in Oceans

very slow to degrade, plastic materials that are used The increased presence of plastic on the ocean surface

in the production of so many products, ultimately, has resulted in more serious problems. Since most of
the plastic debris that reaches the ocean remains
become waste. Our tremendous attraction to plastic,
floating for years as it does not decompose quickly, it
coupled with an undeniable behavioral propensity of
leads to the dropping of oxygen level in
increasingly over-consuming, discarding, littering and
the water, severely affecting the survival of marine
thus polluting, has become a combination of lethal
species. Materials like plastic are non-degradable
nature.
which means they will not be absorbed and recycled.
When oceanic creatures and even birds consume
The disposal of plastics is one of the least recognized
plastic inadvertently, they choke on it which causes
and most highly problematic areas of plastic’s
a steady decline in their population. The harmful
ecological impact. Ironically, one of plastic’s most
effects of plastic on aquatic life are devastating, and 3. 83% of our drinking water contains plastic. Studies
accelerating. In addition to suffocation, ingestion, show that consuming plastic could lead to cancer,
and other macro-particulate causes of death in larger effects on hormone levels, and heart damage.
birds, fish, and mammals, the plastic is ingested by Plastics have been found in the blood of even new
smaller and smaller creatures (as it breaks down into born babies
smaller and smaller particles) and bio accumulates 4. Over 600 marine species are affected by plastics.
in greater and greater concentrations up the food chain Nearly 45000 marine animals have ingested
—with humans at the top. plastics and 80% were injured or killed. Plastics
can pierce animals from inside or cause starvation,
Even plankton, the tiniest creatures in our oceans, are entanglement, loss of body parts and suffocation.
eating micro plastics and absorbing their hazardous 5. As plastics travel with ocean currents, an island of
chemicals. The tiny, broken down pieces of plastic trash called the “Great pacific Garbage Patch” has
are displacing the algae needed to sustain larger sea been created. There are now many islands of trash
life who feed on them. Some important facts about in our seas.
Plastic:
1. Plastics are made from oil with a highly polluting • Dangerous for human life
production process. Plastics just do not dissolve; Burning of plastic results into formation of a
they break down into micro-particles that circulate class of flame retardants called as Halogens.
in the environment. A single water bottle can take Collectively, these harmful chemicals are
up to 1000 years to break down. known to cause the following severe health
2. Asia is the world leader in plastic pollution. The problems: cancer, endometriosis, neurological
Philippines alone dumped over 1 billion pounds of damage, endocrine disruption, birth defects and
plastics into our oceans. That is over 118,000 child developmental disorders, reproductive
trucks worth. In 30 Years there is likely to be more damage, immune damage, asthma, and
plastic in our oceans than fish. multiple organ damage.
15
Figure: Whale killed by plastic waste Figure: Plastics recovered inside the whale

Figure: Great pacific Garbage Patch

2. Plastic Waste Generation in India

According to the reports for year 2017-18, Central While these stats are 38% higher than the global
Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has estimated that average of 20%, there is no comprehensive methods in
India generates approximately 9.4 Million tonnes per place for plastic waste management. Additionally, there
annum plastic waste, (which amounts to 26,000 is a constant increase in plastics waste generation. One
tonnes of waste per day), and out of this of the major reasons for this is that 50% of plastic is
approximately 5.6 Million tonnes per annum plastic discarded as waste after single use. This also adds to
waste is recycled (i.e. 15,600 tonnes of waste per increase in the carbon footprint since single use of plastic
day) and 3.8 Million tonnes per annum plastic waste is products increase the demand for virgin plastic
left uncollected or littered (9,400 tonnes of waste per products.
6
day) .

7
Out of the 60% of recycled plastic :
• 70% is recycled at registered facilities
• 20% is recycled by Unorganized
Sector
• 10% of the plastic is recycled at home.

Figure: Plastic waste recycled in India

6. Source: UNIDO Report- Recycling of Plastics in Indian perspective by Dr. Smita Mohanty
7. Source: http://cpcb.nic.in/Plastic_waste.php/

17
3. Plastic Waste Management
3.1.Types of Plastics
The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) 3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
introduced its resin identification coding system in 4. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
1988 at the urging of recyclers around the country. 5. Polypropylene (PP)
The seven types of plastic include: 6. Polystyrene or Styrofoam (PS)
1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET) 7. Miscellaneous plastics (includes: polycarbonate,
2. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene,
fiberglass, and nylon)

Figure: Types of Plastic

Figure: Examples of different types of Plastic
 8
Plastics are generally categorized into two types : Salient features of Plastic Waste Management
• Thermoplastics: Thermoplastics or Thermo-softening (PWM Rules), 2016
plastics are the plastics which soften on heating and • These rules shall apply to every Waste Generator,
can be molded into desired shape such as PET, Local Body, Gram Panchayat, Manufacturer,

HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC, PS etc. Importer, Producer and Brand Owner.

• Thermosets: Thermoset or thermosetting plastics • Carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic,

strengthen on heating, but cannot be remolded or shall not be less than fifty microns in thickness.

recycled such as Sheet Molding Compounds (SMC), The provision of thickness shall not be applicable

Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP), Bakelite etc. are the to carry bags made up of Compostable plastic,

examples of the same. complying IS/ISO: 17088.

• Waste Generators including institutional

Nowadays, an alternate to petro-based plastic carry- generators, event organizers shall not litter the
bags/films has been introduced i.e. compostable plastic waste, shall segregate waste and handover
plastics (100% bio-based)carry-bags/films conforming to authorized agency and shall pay user fee as
IS/ISO: 17088.The Plastic Waste Management (PWM) prescribed by ULB and spot fine in case of violation.
Rules 2016 also encourage the use of compostable • Local Bodies shall encourage use of plastic waste
carry-bags and products by exempting minimum for road construction or energy recovery or waste
thickness criteria of 50µm.Further, as per provision to oil or co-processing in cement kilns etc. It shall
4 (h) of PWM Rules, 2016, the manufacturers or be responsible for development and setting up of
sellers of compostable plastic carry bags shall obtain a infrastructure for segregation, collection, storage,
certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board transportation, processing and disposal of the
(CPCB) before marketing or selling their products. plastic waste either on its own or by engaging
The manufacturers/sellers of compostable carry- bags/ agencies or producers
products are required to apply to CPCB asper Standard • Gram Panchayat either on its own or by engaging
Operating Procedure (SOP) available on CPCB’s an agency shall set up, operationalize and co-
9 ordinate for waste management in the rural
Website .
area under their control and for performing the associated

3.2. Plastic Waste Management (PWM Rules), functions, namely, ensuring segregation, collection, storage,
10 transportation, plastic waste and channelization of
2016
recyclable plastic waste fraction
The Government of India notified Plastic Waste
to recyclers having valid registration; ensuring
Management (PWM) Rules, 2016 on 18thMarch,
that no damage is caused to the environment
2016, superseding Plastic Waste (Management &
during this process; creating awareness among
Handling) Rules, 2011. These rules were further
all stakeholders about their responsibilities; and
amended and named as ‘Plastic Waste Management
ensuring that open burning of plastic waste does
(Amendment) Rules, 2018
not take place
19
• Producer, Importers and Brand Owners need to • District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner
work out modalities for waste collection system for shall provide the assistance to SPCBs/PCCs,
collecting back the plastic waste within a period of Secretary-in- Charge, Urban Development
six months in consultation with local authority/State Department and Gram Panchayat under his
Urban Development Department and implement jurisdiction, whenever required for enforcement of
with two years thereafter. provisions of PWM Rules, 2016.
• State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)/ Pollution
Control Committee (PCC) shall be the authority 3.3.Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recovery
for enforcement of the provisions of PWM Rules, Plastic bags are popular with consumers and
2016, relating to registration, manufacture of plastic retailers as they are a functional, lightweight, strong,
products and multi-layered packaging, processing cheap, and hygienic way to transport food and other
11
and disposal of plastic wastes. products . Most of these go to landfill and garbage
• Concerned Secretary-in-charge of Urban heaps after they are used, and some are recycled.
Development of the State or a Union Territory and Once littered, plastic bags can find their way on to
concerned Gram Panchayat in the rural area of our streets, parks and into our waterways. Although
the State or a Union Territory shall be the authority plastic bags make up only a small percentage of
for enforcement of the provisions of PWM Rules, all litter, the impact of these bags is nevertheless
Rules relating to waste management by waste significant. Plastic bags create visual pollution
generator, use of plastic carry bags, plastic sheets problems and can have harmful effects on aquatic
or like, covers made of plastic sheets and multi- and terrestrial animals. Plastic bags are particularly
layered packaging. noticeable components of the litter stream due to their
size and can take a long time to fully break down.
Many carry bags end up as unsightly litter in trees,
streets, parks and gardens which, besides being ugly,
can kill birds, small mammals and other creatures.
Bags that make it to the ocean may be eaten by sea 21
turtles and marine mammals, who mistake them for
jellyfish, with disastrous consequences. In developed
countries billion bags are thrown away every year,
most of which are used only once before disposal.
The biggest problem with plastic bags is that they do
not readily break down in the environment. It has been
found that, the average plastic carrier bag is used for
five minutes, but takes 500 years to decompose.

3.3.1.Reduce
Plastic, of course, is uniquely problematic because it’s
non-biodegradable and therefore sticks around for a lot
longer than the other forms of waste. Few small steps
in day to day life would help to keep plastics a
possible out of the waste stream. Some of these steps
may include:

1. Discourage the use of disposal plastics Ninety

percent of the plastic items in our daily lives are used
once and then abandoned: grocery bags, plastic
wrap, disposable cutlery, straws, coffee-cup lids. Take
note of how often we rely on these products and
replace them with reusable versions. It only takes a few
times of bringing our own bags to the store,
silverware to the office, or travel mug to office tea
areas before it becomes habit.
2. Minimize Buying Water
Each year, close to 20 billion plastic bottles are thrown in
the trash. Making a habit of using reusable bottle
in the bag, use of water from office, home and work areas
where the quality of the water can be trusted

3. Minimize use of Plastics Cutlery

Making a habit of using metal utensils instead of plastic
cutlery would help saving a lot of plastics that is thrown in
thrash every year.

4. Purchase item Secondhand

The newer items comes with lot of packaging materials
instead try to use secondhand materials until it is very
necessary

5. Support a bag Tax or Ban

Support legislations and by laws which put taxes on ban of
single use plastics
Snapshot of Public-Private initiatives to REDUCE single use plastic bags and Styrofoam products The
12
table below is organized by continent and country, summarizing examples of retailers, Municipalities and
other public-private cooperation instituted to reduce the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam without the
implementation of a policy measure. The column “Features” overviews the initiative and the measures
implemented as well as the impact, as per the information available.

Area Country Year Action Taken Type Features

Asia Indonesia 2017 Governme Memorandum Type: Because of a four-year campaign organized by
nt of citizens to get plastic bags banned in Bali, the governor
commitme understanding signed a memorandum of understanding to phase out
nt plastic bags by January 2018 (Prisco, 2017).

Europe Germany 2016 Public Ban or levy Type: Voluntary ban or levy on plastic bags (retailers can
private decide whether to phase out plastic bags or to apply a
agreement fee of €0.05 to €0.50 (about $0.06 to $0.60). The
agreement was made by the Ministry, the German
Retail Federation and participating companies to curb
the use of plastic bags. Many more companies participate
without having signed the agreement.). (German
government, 2016, Surfrider, 2017)

Switzerlan 2016 Public Levy Type: Switzerland’s largest supermarket chains introduced
d private a plastic bag levy based on a voluntary agreement, which
agreement was approved by the
parliament as an alternative to a total ban (Swiss
supermarkets, 2016).
Impact: Demand for plastic bags dropped by 80- 85%
(Price tag, 2017).

Luxembur 2004 Public Levy Type: 85 brands (including all big distributors)
g private participate in the “Eco-sac” (“Öko-Tut”) initiative, a
agreement cooperate project
between the Ministry of the Environment, the
Luxembourgian Trade Confederation and the non-profit
association Valorlux to reduce the consumption of
lightweight plastic bags by replacing them with the so-
called “Öko-Tut” (a reusable bag). Impact: Plastic bag
consumption dropped by 85% in nine years and the
“Öko-Tut” has replaced most free plastic bags at
supermarkets across
the country (Luxembourger leads way, 2013; Bänsch-
Baltruschat et al., 2017).
has replaced most free plastic bags at supermarkets
across the country (Luxembourger leads way, 2013;
Bänsch- Baltruschat et al., 2017).

North Canada 2016 Private Levy Type: A big supermarket chain announced that it will start
Ameri Initiative charging consumers CAD 0.05 (around $0.04) per single-
ca use plastic bag and CAD 0.25 per reusable bag (The
Canadian Press, 2016).

Oceani Australia 2017 Private Ban or Levy Type: Some major supermarkets announced that they will
a Initiative phase out lightweight plastic bags or
provide bags but charge AUD 0.15 ($0.12) per bag
(Pearlman, 2018).
 23

Reducing and refusing plastic: Ban on usage

Altogether 18 States and Union Territories have taken initiative and imposed some kind of ban on plastic
manufacture, stock, sale, or use of plastic carry bags, namely Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra,
Odisha, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

Successful Case Studies on Plastics Ban within India:

Operation Blue Mountain campaign was led by Supriya Sahu, the district collector in 2001 to ban the use

station of Nilgiris. The experiment has been documented by erstwhile Planning Commission and UNDP as

pictures of choking animals. They also explained how plastic clogs drains and also seeps into the lake and
other water bodies.

CASE STUDY: SIKKIM: FIRST STATE TO BAN PLASTICS BOTTLES & DISPOSABLE FOAM
PRODUCTS
Sikkim, which is often applauded for being one of the cleanest states in India has now taken one more step to
reduce its carbon footprint. In two recent notifications issued by the state’s home department, the Sikkim
government has decided to manage its waste in a more efficient and eco-friendly manner by banning the use
of plastic water bottles in all Government meetings and programmes. Further, it has banned the use of
disposable foam products across the entire state.

A huge quantity of municipal waste is created in the form of disposable products which are environmentally
hazardous, and claim a lot of space in landfills. It was found that a lot of disposable foam containers were being
used not just in bazaar areas at food stalls, but also in rural pockets. Owing to this, there is now a state- wide ban
on the use and sale of cups, plates, spoons, containers, and other foam items.

It is also stated that rampant use of packaged drinking water in departmental meetings and programmes has led
to the piling up of disposable plastic bottles that add an unnecessary burden on dump yards. Therefore, in order
to reduce creation of garbage in the form of used drinking
water plastic bottles it is notified that the packaged drinking water
bottles may not be used during any government meetings or
functions. The alternative proposed is to switch to filtered water,
water from large reusable dispensers or reusable water bottles at
such government functions and meetings.

The government has been initiating various measures to manage the

waste and maintain a clean environment. Sikkim was also the first
state in the country to ban the use of plastic bags in 1998.
23
CASE STUDY: MAHARASHTRA- BAN ON PLASTICS

Maharashtra will be the 18th state in India to ban single-use

disposable plastic. Maharashtra has banned disposable products
manufactured from plastic and thermocol (polystyrene).
Maharashtra plastic ban carries penalties starting at Rs. 5,000 and
goes up to Rs 25,000 and 3 months of imprisonment. The
government has played a major role by bringing in the law,
mechanism of imposing it, the fines and the paraphernalia that
goes with the implementation. Now, flower vendors are sending
flowers to people’s home in cloth bags. Vegetables are being sold
in cloth bags. Women in
self-help groups are looking at making jute or cotton bags as a
major source of income. Medicines are coming in small paper
pouches. Tea and coffee stalls, college canteens and
restaurants are doing away with plastics. Also, the corporates like Starbucks, Coca Cola and Bisleri
have risen to the occasion and taken up responsibility of collecting waste plastics from Mumbai and
recycle it or up-recycle it to different use. People participation can be seen as NGOs, schools, celebrities,
industrialists have begun campaigns to beat plastic pollution.

CASE STUDY: HIMACHAL PRADESH- SUSTAINABLE PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Government of Himachal Pradesh enacted the Himachal Pradesh Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act,
1995, to deal with the menace of plastic and other non-biodegradable waste. This Act embodied a move towards
scientific disposal of non-biodegradable waste and also imposed a ban on coloured plastic carry bags produced
from recycled plastic. The Government of Himachal Pradesh introduced the Sustainable Plastic Waste Management
Plan in 2009. The Plan focusses on controlling the use of plastic and developing a systematic disposal mechanism.
In order to achieve the objectives of its Clean Himachal and Healthy Himachal drive, the Government also prohibited
the use of plastic cups and plates in 2011; conducted Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to
generate awareness about the harmful impact of plastic waste, and encouraged citizens to stop using plastic
products

Objectives:
The initiative aims to establish environment-friendly plastic waste disposal solutions. In the process it seeks to ban
the use of plastic bags and plastic products, and reduce plastic littering across the state. Further, in order to
ensure sustainability and continued community participation, the initiative seeks to spread environmental
awareness among the local population.

Stakeholders:
The Sustainable Plastic Waste Management Plan has been implemented by the Department of Environment,
Science and Technology (DEST), Government of Himachal Pradesh.
 25

Impact:
1. Cleaner environment and reuse of waste plastic for roads:
The ban on plastics and the systematic waste recycling model have not only ensured cleaner surroundings and
contributed to environmental conservation but also supported infrastructure development through road
construction. The institutional mechanism for collection, transportation and utilization of plastic waste has
become functional and has been adopted across the state.

2. Public Awareness and Participation:

The plan has made a significant impact in building awareness and securing people’s cooperation. It is
encouraging people to collect plastic waste to minimize its negative environmental impact, and assume
responsibility for the maintenance of their local environment.
25
Successful Case Studies13 on Plastics Ban across the continents

CASE STUDY: CHINA: NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL POLICIES

Regulations at national and local level Context:
Prior to 2008 about 3 billion plastic bags were used in China every day, creating more than 3 million tonnes of
garbage each year. Due such large volume of plastic waste, plastic litter in China is now being called as “white
pollution”.

The National ban and levy

To curb the production and consumption of plastic bags, in 2008 the Government of China introduced a ban on
bags thinner than 25 microns and a levy on thicker ones, promoting the use of durable cloth bags and
shopping baskets. Exemptions were allowed for bags used in the handling of fresh food such as raw meat
and noodles for hygiene reasons.

Impact:
One year after the introduction of the legislation, the distribution of plastic bags in supermarkets fell on average
by 70%, avoiding the use of 40 billion bags. Within seven years, the number of plastic bags used by supermarkets
and shopping malls shrank by two-thirds, with 1.4 million tonnes of bags avoided. However, plastic bags do
remain common, especially in rural areas and farmers’ markets, due to weak enforcement.
China has recently (January 2018) introduced a ban on the import of plastic scraps

CASE STUDY: COSTA RICA: TOTAL SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN

First to pledge phasing out all single-use plastic bags
Context:
Costa Rica has emerged as an environmental leader in many ways. It was successful in doubling its forest cover
from 26% in 1984 to more than 52% in 2017 and plans to be carbon neutral by 2021. Costa Rica now aims to
become the first country in the world to ban all single-use plastics by 2021.

The ban
On 5 June 2017, World Environment Day, the government announced a National Strategy to phase out all forms of
single-use plastics by 2021 and replace them with alternatives that biodegrade within six months. The ban aims at
eliminating not only plastic bags and bottles, but also other items such as plastic cutlery, straws, Styrofoam
containers and coffee stirrers. The Strategy promotes the substitution of single-use plastic through five actions:
i. Municipal incentives,
ii. Policies and institutional guidelines for suppliers,
iii. Replacement of single-use plastic products,
iv. Research and development, and
v. Investment in strategic initiatives.
In implementing this project, the government is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
local governments, civil society and private sector groups.
 27

CASE STUDY: KENYA: PUNITIVE TOTAL BAN

Severe plastic bag banContext:
Prior to 2017, about 100 million plastic bags were used in Kenya every year in supermarkets alone, impacting the
environment, human health and wildlife especially in areas where waste management systems are inadequate. In
Western Kenya, veterinarians claimed that in their lifetime cows ingest a considerable amount of plastic bags, among
other plastics

The ban
In February 2017, the Government of Kenya announced a ban on the production, sale, importation and use of
plastic carry bags, which came into full effect after six months (in August 2017). Under the new law, representing
the third attempt in the past decade, offenders can face fines of up to $38,000 or four-year jail terms, making
Kenya’s plastic bag ban the most severe in the world. Before the law entered into force, UN Environment
supported the organization of a stakeholder dialogue where national and local-level officials could engage with
private sector representatives to exchange views on how best to implement the regulation

Large supermarket chains are selling reusable cloth bags, as the government encourages retailers to offer
consumers alternatives to plastic bags. Kenyans are slowly adjusting to life without plastic bags but there is not
yet a clear account of the impact of the ban. The government is now starting an analysis to measure the overall
act of the ban. On one hand local ‘green’ businesses see this as an opportunity for new innovative solutions to
succeed and prosper, on the other hand, during this transition period - where there is lack of affordable eco-
friendly alternatives – hygiene and food loss concerns are being raised by small-scale vendors (selling for
instance pre-cooked foods, fruits and vegetables in markets).

CASE STUDY: RWANDA: TOTAL BAN

Total plastic bag ban: Cleaner cities and rural areas
Context:
In 2004, the Rwandan Ministry of Environment, concerned by the improper disposal of plastic bags, as they
were often burned or clogged drainage systems, commissioned a baseline study which revealed that plastic bag
litter was threatening agricultural production, contaminating water sources and creating visual pollution.

Introduction of the ban

In 2008 the Rwandan government banned the manufacturing, use, sale and importation of all plastic bags.
Paper bags replaced plastic ones, and citizens also started using reusable bags made of cotton. Along with the
new ban, tax incentives were provided to companies willing to invest in plastic recycling equipment or in the
manufacturing of environmentally friendly bags.

Critics claim that stakeholders were insufficiently consulted during the policy design and that the poorest
fractions of the population were not considered. Despite the good intentions, after the entry into force of the ban,
investments in recycling technologies were lacking, as were good and cheap alternatives. As a result, people
started smuggling plastic bags from neighboring countries and a lucrative black market emerged.

What worked well

With time, enforcement of the law became stricter, and if caught, offenders would face high fines and even jail. In
the long run, citizens became used to the new regulation and, Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, was nominated by UN
Habitat in 2008 as the cleanest city in Africa.
27
CASE STUDY: ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
In January 2016, Antigua and Barbuda prohibited the importing, manufacturing and trading of plastic shopping
bags. In July of the same year, the distribution of such bags at points of sale was banned, leaving enough time for
retailers to finish their stocks. Since plastic bags sold in large retailers accounted for 90% of the plastic
litter in the environment, the ban was first implemented in major supermarkets, and later extended to smaller
shops.

What worked well

Key elements of policy’s success include four rounds of stakeholder consultations to ensure engagement and
acceptance of the policy. Stakeholders engaged include major retailers, the National Solid Waste Management
Authority, the Ministry of Trade and the Department of Environment. After approval by the Cabinet, it was decided
that the ban would be incorporated in the existing legislation, as this was more expedient than instituting a
new law. An awareness-raising campaign titled “I’m making a difference one bag at a time” included frequent
television short clips by the Minister of Health and the Environment providing information
on the progress of the ban and feedback from stakeholders. A jingle was produced to promote the use of
durable bags for a cleaner and healthier environment. Moreover, shoppers were provided with reusable bags
outside supermarkets, and seamstresses and tailors were taught how to manufacture such bags so as to
meet increasing demand. Major supermarkets were also required to offer paper bags from recycled material, in
addition to reusable ones. To encourage the manufacturing and use of alternatives to plastic bags, the legislation
includes a list of materials that will remain tax free, such as sugar cane, bamboo, paper, and potato starch.

Impact
In the first year, the ban contributed to a 15.1% decrease in the amount of plastic discarded in landfills in Antigua
and Barbuda, and paved the way for additional policies targeting the reduction of plastics. For instance, the
importation of plastic food service containers and cups was prohibited in July 2017. As of January 2018,
single-use plastic utensils were banned, as well as food trays and egg cartons. At a later stage, Styrofoam
coolers are also expected to be outlawed.
 29

3.3.2.Reuse polymer
Reuse is a step up from recycling. It diverts plastic and
takes pressure off the recycling services. In fact, reuse
is the middle-man between reduce and recycle, and
some would be surprised at how many opportunities
for reuse there really are.

One can reuse plastic-produce bags for sandwiches,

plastic grocery bags for small trash bags, and re-use
plastic silverware. Most people skip this step and go
directly to recycling, but reusing plastics can reduce
the demand for new plastics to be created.
For instance, since refillable plastic containers can be
reused for many times, container reuse can lead to
a substantial reduction in the demand for disposable
plastic and reduced use of materials and energy, with
the consequent reduced environmental impacts.

3.3.3.Recycle
Recycling and re-utilization of waste plastics have
several advantages. It leads to a reduction of the use
of virgin materials and of the use of energy, thus also a
reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.
Benefits of Recycling:
• Reduces Environmental Pollution
• Energy savings : 40 - 100 MJ/kg (depends on the
polymer)
• Economic Benefits
• Reduces demand for virgin polymer
• Preferred to Land Filling
• Generates Employment
• Reduces depletion of Fossil fuel reserves

Difficulties in Recycling:
• Hard to separate from non-plastics (no ‘magnet’
equivalent)
• Differing composition of plastic resins means they
are largely incompatible
• Degradation of polymer chains on recycling
• Recycled polymer is of lower quality than virgin
• Most waste plastics films specially thin waste plastics in environment-friendly manners. In
plastics films have limited market value, addition to reducing the amount of plastics waste
therefore effort is not spent in collecting them requiring disposal, recycling and reuse of plastic can
• Identification of reuse and recycling opportunities have several other advantages, such as:
• Markets for Plastics; Lack of Infrastructure • Conservation of non-renewable fossil fuels – Plastic
• Low value of recovered Plastics production uses 8% of the world’s oil production,
• Subsidies for recycling program 4% as feedstock and 4% during manufacture
• Reduced consumption of energy
A number of factors can complicate the • Reduced amounts of solid waste going to landfill
practice of plastics recycling, such as the • Reduced emissions of carbon-dioxide (CO2),
collection of the nitrogen-oxides (NOx) and Sulphur-dioxide (SO2).
plastics waste, separation of different types of
plastics, cleaning of the waste and possible Segregation of waste at source is also a very
pollution of the plastics. A further complicating important step in managing plastic waste generated.
factor is the low- value nature of most of the There are several cities which are excelling in this. In
products that can be manufactured from recycled addition to segregation of waste at source, some cities
plastics. Reusing plastic is preferable to recycling have set up segregation centers in the entire city to
as it uses less energy and fewer resources, facilitate secondary segregation of plastic waste into
however recycling plastic takes less energy than 25- 27 categories and assist in recycling of plastic.
making plastic from raw materials. A number of recycling techniques of the plastics have
It has been observed, to reduce bad effects of been collected which can be adopted by the
waste plastics, it is better to recycle and re-utilize
29
municipality in dealing the issue of plastic waste. It 2. Air Tabling: A density concentration technique in
includes technology like which particles of mixed sizes, shapes, and
1. Mechanical Recycling densities are separated from each other due to
2. Feedstock Recycling the differential settling in an upward airflow with
3. Plastic to Road Construction controllable velocity and under the influence of a
4. Plastic to Toilet / Pavement Blocks vibrating action.
5. Recycling of Multi-layered plastic
3. Ballistic Separator: It is designed to separate solid
3.3.3.1.Mechanical Recycling waste at the inlet, depending on size, density &
Techniques for Sorting and Separation of Plastic shape
Waste:
1. Air Classifier (also known as a Zig Zag Separator): 4. Dry and Wet Gravity Separation (or Sink Float
A technique used for Separating of light films or Tank): In this technique, different types of plastics
contaminating paper/foil, or for separating fine are separated based on their density. The heavier
dust from reclaimed material such as plastic flake plastic fractions sink to the bottom of the tank
or other granular materials. It is usually used after whilst the lighter fractions float to the surface. It
Granulation or Dry Cleaning Operations and is is used in the recycling of plastic bottles and their
very effective. caps. Mostly the lids and caps of these bottles are
Figure: Mechanical Recycling
 31

made from colored HDPE plastic and the bottles NIR sensor can distinguish between different materials
from PET plastic. Within the Sink-Float Tank the based on the way they reflect light. This uses optical
HDPE floats, whilst PET sinks.

5. Froth Flotation: It is an intensive rinsing process

with the addition of either fluid or steam and
it has the ability to extract large volumes of fluid
making it an effective choice for recycling. Friction
Separation dissolves and separates impurities
sticking to the product, utilizing a high level
of rotation and friction. Often used to clean
mixed plastics and for highly contaminated films.
This technique is an ideal choice for soiled plastics
to be treated in the recycling process.

6. Electrostatic Separation (or Triboelectric

Separation): In this techniques, electrostatically
charged particles are passed through a tribo-
cyclone, and negatively charged particles gravitate
towards the positively charged plate and vice-
versa, thereby classifying 3 or more resins at
once.

Apart from the techniques mentioned above, there are

sensor based separation technologies also available
for plastic waste:

1. Plastic Color Sorting:

In this technique, ultra-violet light is used in
combination with excellent digital camera technology to
identify materials as small as 0.04mm.This range of
plastics colour sorting machines cover material
throughputs of 300-1800 kgs/hr. The machine
throughputs are dependent upon material type and
quantity of contamination. The sorting accuracy is
typically up to 99.99%.

2. Near Infrared (NIR)

When materials are illuminated they mostly reflect
light in the near infrared wavelength spectrum. The
sorting to positively identify different resins. It is Figure: Extrusion and Palletisation method of plastic waste recycling

usually used for whole bottles & jugs and requires a

minimum particle size of 50mm 3.3.3.2. Feedstock Recycling
a) Depolymerisation
Extrusion & Palletisation The process De-polymerization is degradation of
Plastics extrusion is a high-volume manufacturing bonds to break down into monomers. This process is
process in which raw plastic is melted and utilized for the degradation of plastic to lower
formed into a continuous profile. Extrusion hydrocarbons. Chemical Depolymerisation has
produces items such as pipe/tubing, rods, successfully been employed to recover monomers
fencing window frames, plastic films and from PET, polyamides such as nylons and
sheeting, thermoplastic coatings and wire polyurethanes. It has the ability to return a recovered
insulation. This process starts by feeding plastic resin to virgin resin-like quality, and the potential to
material (pellets, granules, flakes or powders)
from a hopper into the barrel of the extruder. The
material is gradually melted by the mechanical
energy generated by turning screws and by
heaters arranged along the barrel. The molten
polymer is then forced into a die, which shapes
the polymer into a shape that hardens during
cooling.
31
recover a valuable feedstock from products that converted into either of the products: Liquid RDF,
are economically challenging to recycle. The De- gases and solids. The solids can be reused as fuel
polymerization is carried out in a specially designed in cement industries while the gas is reused in the
Reactor, in absence of oxygen and in the presence system as a fuel. The unused hot Air from the reactor is
of certain catalytic additives. The maximum reaction released through chimney.
temperature is 350°C. The entire feed material is

FEEDSTOCKS AND OUTPUT WITH THERMAL DEPOLYMERIZATION

(Note: Paper/cellulose contains at least 1% minerals, which was probably grouped under carbon solids.)

Average Thermal Depolymerisation (TDP) Feedstock Outputs

Feedstock Oils Gases Solids Water (Steam)

(mostly
carbon
based)

Plastic bottles 70% 16% 6% 8%

Medical waste 65% 10% 5% 20%

Tires 44% 10% 42% 4%

Sewage sludge 26% 9% 8% 57%

Paper (cellulose) 8% 48% 24% 20%

Process flow diagram for production of Liquid RDF from waste plastic
 33

b) Plastic to Fuel (Pyrolytic Conversion waste (only HD, LD, PP and multilayer packaging
Technologies) except PVC) is segregated and pretreated. The
A new generation of conversion technology, pretreatment could be as minor as size reduction or as
specifically designed to manage non-recyclable involved as cleaning and moisture removal.
plastics, has been developed, and commercial scale • Conversion: Pyrolytic processes are used to convert
facilities that use pyrolysis technology to convert the plastic to gas. It is undertaken in close reactor
plastics into oil and fuel are being established vessel where waste plastics is heated at high
in Europe and Asia. Pyrolysis is the thermal temperatures to convert it into vapour state. The
decomposition of materials at elevated temperatures in catalyst is added whereby the pyrolysis requires less
an inert atmosphere. energy and results in the formation of more branched
hydrocarbons. The gas generated in
The benefits presented by plastic to fuel (PTF) the process is reused as fuel in the process thus
technologies are two-fold: making the process economically viable and also help
(1) Transforming non-recyclable plastics into a in minimizing air pollution.
valuable commodity • Distillation: The gas is collected in condensation
(2) Creating a reliable source of alternative energy chamber and is converted in the form of liquid fuel. The
from an abundant, no/low cost feedstock. oil has properties similar to LDO and can be safely
used as an alternative to LDO in industries thus
Steps in pyrolysis to convert scrap plastic to fuel conserving the already depleting natural resources.
sources:
• Segregation and Pre-treatment: Plastic
• Acid removal process: Acids that form in the c) Plasma Pyrolysis Technology (PPT): Plasma
breakdown are required to be removed as they Pyrolysis is a state of the art technology, which
can be corrosive to the plastic to fuel systems as integrates the thermo-chemical properties
well as the engines that will consume the fuel. of plasma with the pyrolysis process. The intense
• Separation / final blending / refining: As and versatile heat generation capabilities of Plasma
per the end-use. Pyrolysis technology enable it to dispose of all types of
plastic waste including polymeric, biomedical and
Fuel yield estimates will be different and yields will hazardous waste in a safe and reliable manner.
vary from batch to batch depending on the quality Pyrolysis is the thermal disintegration of carbonaceous
of the feedstock being used. The more material in oxygen-starved atmosphere. In Plasma
contamination and non-resin materials present, the Pyrolysis, firstly the plastics waste is fed into the
less the fuel yield will be. Higher presence of PS, primary chamber at 8500°C through a feeder. The waste
PP and LLDPE, will result in higher yield. material dissociates into carbon monoxide, hydrogen,
methane, higher hydrocarbons etc. Induced draft fan
drains the pyrolysis gases as well as plastics
Output Percentage of Overall Output

Char Ranges on average from 2% -13%

(one system claims negligible amounts of char
when the system is run on a continuous feed vs a
batch feed)

Natural Ranges average from 8% to 10%

gas

Fuel/Oil Ranges average from 80% - 90%

One gallon (3.78 liters) of oil = 138,095 BTUs (40 kWh)

One pound (0.45 Kg) of mixed plastic = 15,500 BTUs (when
incinerated) (4.5 kWh)

33
 Figure: Plastic to Fuel

The process conditions are maintained such that it

CASE STUDY: GOA- PLASTIC TO LIQUID
RDF eliminates the possibility of formation of toxic dioxins and

M K Aromatics has planned to set-up a plant in furans molecules (in case of chlorinated waste). The
conversion of organic waste into non-toxic gases (CO2,
for processing plastic waste into hydrocarbons/ H2O) is more than 99%. The extreme conditions of plasma
crude oil. The plant would use all types of plastics kill stable bacteria such as bacillus stereo- thermophilus
and bacillus subtilis immediately.

being used. For High quality plastics such as

are combusted into safe carbon dioxide and water.
Milk packets etc. the yield is expected to be 80%

expected around 60%.

waste into the secondary chamber where these gases

are combusted in the presence of excess air. The
inflammable gases are ignited with high voltage spark.
The secondary chamber temperature is maintained
at 10500 °C. The hydrocarbon, CO and hydrogen
3.3.3.3.Plastic to Road Construction construction of roads are Polystyrene (PS) (Hard
The implementation of plastics in roads opens a packaging, cartons, plates, vending cups etc.);
new option for recycling post- consumer Polypropylene (PP) (ketchup bottles, yogurt cups etc.);
plastics. Plastic roads are made entirely of plastic Polyethylene (PE) (both high and low density) (plastic
or of composites of plastic with other materials. bags, water bottle, shampoo bottle etc.). Please note
that Poly
The types of plastic that can be used for
 35

of this grade confirm to that of S 65 grade of IS – 73-

Vinyl Chloride (PVC) sheets or Flux sheets should not 1992. It is presently used mainly in construction of
be used. National Highways & State Highways.

a) Methodology Bitumen 30/40: This is the hardest of all the grades and
The waste plastic has to be collected, segregated, can withstand very heavy traffic loads. The
cleaned and then shredded as shown in Figure below. characteristics of this grade confirm to that of S
The shredded waste plastic shall pass through 4.75 35 grade of IS-73-1992. Bitumen 30/40 is used in
mm sieve and be retained on 1 mm. specialized applications like airport runways and also in
This also indicates indirectly that the size of the very heavy traffic volume roads in coastal cities of the
shredded plastic should normally be 2-3 mm for better country.
spread and coating the aggregate. The Bitumen to Plastic ratio shall be 10:1.

• Types of Bitumen b) Plastics as a ‘binder’

The three classifications of bitumen used in the Waste plastic is shredded into required size and mixed with
construction of roads are mentioned below: hot stone (150 to 170 °C) with uniform mixing.
Bitumen 80/100: The characteristics of this grade When heated to around 150 to 170 °C, plastic melts
confirm to that of S 90grade of IS-73-1992. This is the and spreads over the stone aggregate in its molten
softest of all grades available in India. This is suitable state, giving a thin coating at the surface and acting as a
for low volume roads and is still widely used in the binder. The points to note here are:
country.
• Plastics cannot be melted separately to use for
Bitumen 60/70: This grade is harder than 80/100 and coating. On contact with the surface of the hot stone
can withstand higher traffic loads. The characteristics
Figure: Steps to shred plastic waste for recycling purpose
35
 the plastic gel softens and coats over the aggregate. It Waste polymers namely PE, PP and PS are
is important to note that the size of the shredded hydrocarbons with long chains. The bitumen is a
plastic should be less than the surface area of the complex mixture of asphaltenes and maltenes which are
aggregate to get uniform coating, otherwise the also long chain hydro carbon. When bitumen
binding will not be effective. is mixed with plastic coated aggregate a portion of
bitumen diffuses through the plastic layer and binds
• The waste plastic when heated to temperature more with aggregate. The plastic layer has already bonded
than 250 °C may decompose producing gaseous strongly with aggregate. During this process three
products which results in air pollution, hence the dimensional internal cross linked network structure
temperature during heating shall be maintained results between polymer molecules and bitumen
between 150 to 170 °C. It is to be ensured that constitutes.
plastic is boiling and not burning.
Therefore the bond becomes stronger and the removal
• Interaction between Plastic Aggregate and of bonded bitumen becomes difficult. Below figure
Bitumen illustrates the plastic aggregate bitumen interaction for
When the aggregate temperature is around 150 to 170 the plastic waste coated aggregate bitumen mix.
°C the coated plastic is in a molten state and over this,
hot bitumen at 160 °C is added. The added bitumen • Types of Process
spreads over the aggregate. At this temperature The two processes for manufacturing bituminous
both the coated plastic and bitumen are in the liquid mixes using waste plastic are dry and wet process. In
state, capable of easy diffusion at the interphase. the dry process, the processed waste plastic is
This process is further helped by the increase in the added after shredding into the hot aggregates and is
contact area (increased surface area). recommended for isolated works; while in the wet
process, processed waste plastic in the form of
powder is added in the hot bitumen.
Figure: Bitumen and Plastic Aggregate
 37

i. Mini Hot Mix Plant the bitumen is to be heated to a maximum of 160 °C

The stone aggregate mix (as per specification) is (HRS Specification) in a separate chamber and kept
transferred to the mix cylinder where it is heated to 165 ready (The temperature should be monitored to have
°C (as per the IRC specification) and then it is good binding and to prevent weak bonding).
transferred to the mixing puddler.
At the mixing puddler, the hot bitumen is added over the
plastic coated aggregate and the resulted mix is used
for road construction as shown in figure. The road
laying temperature is between 110°C to 120°C. The
roller used is a one with 8-ton capacity.

ii. Central Mixing Plant (CMP)

The Central Mixing Plant technique includes three
Figure: Mini Hot Mix Plant
material types:

The temperature can be monitored using IR Materials I– The hoppers are filled with necessary
thermometer, while transferring the hot aggregate into ggregates as per the mix formula
the puddler, calculated quantity of shredded plastics is
sprayed over the hot aggregate within 30 seconds. Materials II– Plastic films (thickness not more than
60microns) to be cut to a size less than 4 X 4 mm. It
should not exceed this size.
Materials III– Bitumen of type 60/70 or 80/100 to be
used

In Central Mixing, the stone is heated and at the same

time the plastics films get melted over the heated
Figure: Mixing of Plastic with Hot Aggregate
stone and gets coated. Slowly the plastics coated

The sprayed plastic films melts and gets coated over aggregate moves forward where this polymer coated

the aggregate thus forming an oily coating. Similarly, aggregate mix is mixed with bitumen. Overall the
process consists the following steps:
Figure: Mixing of Bitumen with plastic coated aggregate
37
1. The aggregate materials are transferred to the 3. The polymer coated aggregate bitumen mix is then
cylinder through the conveyer belt. transferred to the dipper.

2. The shredded plastic is sprayed over the aggregate Salient features/ Advantages of CMP Process
while it is moving in the conveyer belt. 1. Easy process without any new machinery or
industry involvement
• The spraying is done by manual labors standing up
on both side of the conveyer belt of the central 2. Use of lesser percentage of bitumen and thus
mixing plant. While one person adds the shredded savings on bitumen
plastics on the conveyer belt, in the meantime
another person keeps another bucket full of plastics 3. No evolution of any toxic gases like dioxin
ready so that the addition of plastics is continuous
and done quantitatively. 4. Mixing of the plastics over the aggregate is uniform
and better distribution takes place in Central Mixing
• The amount of plastic to be added is calculated as Plant
follows:
- In the CMP, at the control room the addition of 5. The coating is better when the mixing of bitumen is
bitumen is monitored. being carried out:
- The amount of bitumen sprayed per minute inside a. Inside the Cylinder
the cylinder is to be checked. For example, If the b. During loading in the dipper.
bitumen quantity per minute is 10Kg, the plastic c. During transferring the mix in the paver
need to be added is 1Kg. (i.e. a bucket can be used d. During the spreading of the mix by the paver
which can hold 1 Kg at a time).
- Hence, the shredded plastics taken in the bucket are
sprayed with a speed of 1Kg/min.

• As the plastic is added over the aggregate, the mix

(aggregate and plastics) moves into the cylinder.
 39

• Flowchart of Plastic Bitumen Road process

39
• Specification for different types of Plastic Bitumen Road
The key specification for the different types of plastic bitumen road (optimum quantity of polymer 10% by weight of
bitumen) is shown in the table below.

Table: Specification for the different types of plastic Bitumen road

Type of Pavement Aggregates Bitumen Polymer IRC

2 3
SDBC 40mm thick-10m 13.2mm-0.10m 34.20kgs 508
3 3.8kgs
11.8mm-0.16m
3
6.7mm -0.16m
3
2.8mm -0.18m
2 3
SDBC 25mm thick -10m 11.2mm -0.10m 21.6kgs 2.4kgs 508
3
6.7mm -0.16m
3
2.8mm&below-0.11m
2 3
Bituminous Concrete 40mm thick-10m 26.5-9.5mm -0.40m 38.7kgs 4.3kgs 509
3
9.5-2.36mm -0.22m
18kgs-cement/hydrates lime/rock dust
2 3
Bituminous Concrete 25mm thick-10m 19-9.5mm -0.25m 24.3kgs 2.7kgs 509
3
9.5-2.36mm-0.14m
2 3
Open grade premix carpet -10m (22.4-11.2mm)13.2mm-0.18m 13.14kgs 1.46kgs 511
3
(13.2-5.6mm)11.2mm-0.09m
2 3
Premix carpet with seal coat Type A-10m 13.2mm -0.18m 13.14kgs 1.46kgs 511
3
11.2mm -0.09m
3
6.7mm -0.09m
2 3
Premix carpet Type B-10m 13.2mm -0.18m 13.14kgs 1.46kgs 511
11.2mm -0.09m
3
Seal Coat Type B Clean good sand-0.06m 6.6kgs 0.25kgs 511
2 3
Surface dressing Single coat/First coat-10m 13.2mm -0.15m 16.2kgs 1.8KGS ---

2
Bituminous Macadam 75mm thick -10m (45-22.4mm 52.2kgs 5.8kgs 504
3
-0.63m
(22.4-11.2mm)
3
-0.16m
3
(11.2-2.8mm) - 0.25m
3
(26.5-11.2mm)-0.42m 34.2kgs 3.8kgs 504
2
Bituminous Macadam 50mm thick -10m 3
(11.2-2.8mm) -0.10m
3
2.8mm -0.18m
 2 3
Dense Bituminous Macadam 75mm thick -10m (37.5-13.2mm) -0.35m 62.1kgs 6.9kgs 507
3
13.2-2.36mm) -0.45m
2.36mm& below
3
-0.20m 36kgs –rock
dust
2 3
Dense Bituminous Macadam 50mm thick -10m (26.5-13.2mm) -0.35m 41.4kgs 4.6kgs 507
3
(13.2-2.36mm) -0.21m
2.36mm& below
3
-0.14m 24kgs
cement/rock dust
 41

c) Performance Evaluation of Polymer Coated The results obtained for these roads mentioned in the
Bitumen Roads table below helped to conclude that these roads are
The Central Pollution Control Board has prepared a performing very well in spite of their age. Under the
performance evaluation report (Programme Objective similar conditions most of the bitumen roads are not
Series: PROBES/122/2008-2009) titled Performance performing well at all. These roads have not developed
Evaluation of Polymer Coated Bitumen Built Roads to even small cracking and a pothole. The roads were
evaluate the performance of certain roads distributed over the different localities of Tamil Nadu
exposed to various environmental conditions like
Consolidated test results temperature, rainfall, etc., yet roads are performing
Monitoring of test roads were carried out using well.
structural evaluation, functional evaluation and
conditional evaluation studies.

Table: Consolidated Test Results

Year Unevenne Skid Sand Field Density Rebound

laid ss (mm Texture number Deflection
Road /km)/ / Depth(mm) (mm)/
Roughnes Resistance Benkelman
s Beam

Jambulingam Street 2002 2700 41 0.63 2.55 0.85

Veerabadhra Street 2003 3785 45 0.70 2.62 0.60

Vandiyur road, 2004 3005 41 0.66 2.75 0.84

Vilachery Road, 2005 3891 45 0.50 2.89 0.86

MDU

Canteen Road, TCE 2006 3100 45 0.65 2.86 0.86

Plain Bitumen Road 2002 5200 76 0.83 2.33 1.55

Tolerance Value* ------ 4000 <65 .6-.8 2.86 0.5-1

1. Unevenness / Roughness; Source IRC: SP: 16-2004

2. Skid Resistance/ Skid Number; Standardized in UK under BS:812-1967
3. Sand Texture Depth; BS 598 part 105(1990)
4. Rebound Deflection / Benkelman Beam; IRC:81-1997
5. Field Density; Highway Engineering by S. K. Khanna, C.E.G. Justo; New Chand & Bros, Roorkee (U.A);
Eighth edition ;2001
41
d) Advantages of Plastic Bitumen Road • Making roads with plastic mixture reduces the cost
• Presence of plastic increases the binding capacity and frequency of maintenance.
better bonding of the mixture, making the roads • The cost incurred in construction of a Bitumen-
more resistant to external conditions such as plastic road is significantly lesser than that of an only
extreme heat (UV radiation), etc., and makes roads Bitumen road
stronger with increased Marshall Stability Value • Salt deposition on the pores of stone which results
• Bitumen film is often stripped off the aggregates in road degradation, is also prevented
because of the penetration of water, which results • Consumption of bitumen decreases by around
in pothole formation. This is accelerated during the 10%. For 1km x 3.75m road, 1 tonne of plastic (10
movement of vehicle. When polymer is coated over lakh carry bags) is used and 1 tonne of bitumen is
aggregate, the coating reduces its affinity for water saved .
14

due to non-wetting nature of the polymer and this

resists the penetration of water, thereby reducing e) Cost Comparison between Plain bitumen road
pothole formation during rains and Plastic Bitumen Road*

S No Material Needed Plain Bitumen Process Plastic Bitumen road

1 Road Construction Cost Rs. 21.00 lakhs Rs. 18.90 lakhs

2 Maintenance Cost @ Rs. / km per Rs. 14,000 per km per year for rural No Maintenance cost for a min five years
year roads. Maintenance not needed up to 10 years
Thus for five years Rs. 70,000

3 Road Renewal Cost Roads renewed after 5 years costing Rs. Nil
3.5 lakhs

4 Total Cost for min. service of five Rs. 25.2 lakhs Rs. 18.9 lakhs
years

5 Use of Waste Plastics Nil One Tonne per Km

6 Total Cost Saved Nil Rs. 6.3 lakhs

Cost Comparison implies Rs. 6.3 lakhs can be saved when constructing plastic bitumen road of 1 km length by
3.75 m width.

*The data has been compiled from Padma Shri. Dr. R Vasudevan who is also called as the ‘Plastic Man of India’.
14 Source: http://earthuntouched.com/plastic-roads-revolutionary-idea/
 43

CASE STUDY: UTILIZATION OF PLASTIC WASTE IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN BENGALURU

(Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palika)
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palika (BBMP) has worked with a Bangalore based company, KK Plastic Waste Management
Ltd. in providing innovative solution by reusing non-recyclable plastics in construction of roads.
The technology has been patented and certified by the Centre for Transportation Engineering (CTE) and the
Central Road Research Institute (CRRI). Since 2002, The Company has been successful in laying 3000 Km of
road length successfully in Bangalore city by using 12,000 Tonnes of the plastic waste collected from city’s
garbage. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with BBMP since 2004-2005 to till date for
collecting plastic waste from city’s garbage and mixing KK Poly Blend in Bitumen while constructing roads at a rate
of Rs. 27/Kg. The manufacturing units with a potential of 20 tonnes per day are located in:
1. Yelchenahalli: Kanakpura Road
2. Anjanapur, Kanakpura Road

BBMP also helped in establishing the network with the bulk generators for collecting the plastic waste from the
source of its generation within the city. Following are the roads being laid in recent time:
2018

Location Road Length in Km Period of Laying

Outer Ring Road of Bangalore 14 2008-09

Bangalore University Road 8 2013-2014

Under PMGYS in Karnataka 80 2014-2015

Major Roads in Bangalore 20 2017-2018

First 100% recycled road of 500 meters trial run stretch has been laid by KK Plastic Waste Management Ltd. for
Karnataka State Highway Improvement Project under World Bank Funding. In the same road, 100% of scarified
aggregates and 2% bitumen bas been reused out of scarified materials.
43
 15
3.3.3.4.Plastic to Toilet (Plastone) / Pavement Utility:
Blocks • Construction of IHHL at low cost using Plastone
According to the research conducted by and achieving hygienic sanitation
Dr. R.Vasudevan, Dr. A. Ramalinga Chandra Sekar • Solution for easy disposal of waste plastics
and Mr B. Sundarakannan from Thiagarajar College of
Engineering, Madurai, Plastone is a material prepared Scalability:
using waste plastics available in the solid waste of the • Plastone, the product outcome has been very
particular area which can be segregated and used as handy and important structural material which
binder with the stone aggregate. This prefabricated
solves the problem of disposal of waste plastics
Plastone can be used in the construction of structure
• Plastone can consume all filmy waste plastics both
of the Toilet Blocks (Individual Household Latrines) and
mono layered and multi layered packaging covers
is an effective substitute for bricks and cement blocks.
• Plastone blocks are made without using bitumen,
This process can also be done in situ and no external
sand, cement and water, instead is made up of
industry is involved. This process results in not only in
the reduction of the cost of construction of IHHL, but waste plastics and other waste materials only.
also in the easy disposal of solid waste available in the
village. In a nut shell the research aim is to provide the Cost Analysis:
technology of using Plastone in the construction of A comparative cost analysis between the toilet
toilets at a cheaper cost and as well as a method for structures constructed using traditional method and
the easily disposal of waste plastics. using Plastone blocks is mentioned below. (Assuming for
construction of 4ft X 4ft X 7ft – Toilet structure)
Novelty involved in the Product • Using Plastone Block – Rs 7556.00
• A new technique using waste plastics as a binder • Total number of Plastone blocks required of size
– new technique 2ftX 1ft for the construction of toilet structure is 49
• Structural blocks manufactured using solid waste blocks
materials and waste plastics
• Amount of waste plastics required is 156.00 Kgs
• First technology to utilize multi layered films of
• Amount of Aggregate required is 294.00 Kgs
waste plastics
• Special properties of Plastone block with high
compression strengths, malleability and ductility

S. No Type of Material Amount Required in Kg Cost in Rs Total in Rs

1. Waste Plastics 156 156 X 8 = 1248 1248.00

2. Aggregate 294 294 X 1= 294 294.00

3. Energy 2 2 X 57 = 114 114.00

4. Labour NA 400 X 3 = 1200 1200.00

5. Fixing Frame NA 2700 2700.00

6. Sheet Laying and Sheet cost NA 2000 2000.00

Total 7556.00
 45

• Using traditional method (Cement Wall Structure): Thus, the cost of IHHL construction with Plastone
S. No Type of Expenses Total in Rs

1. Earth work and Plain Concrete 3000.00

Cement (PCC) structure

2. Brick Work 4000.00

3. Brick Work for 4.5 ft. and 7 ft. height 9000.00

4. Plastering all over 3000.00

5. Sheet laying and sheet cost 2000.00

6. Cement and Sand 6000.00

Total 27000.00

structures around 30% of the cost of cement wallstructure, when

compared with traditional methods.

Plastic to Pavement Blocks

In addition to the Toilet blocks, the ‘Plastone block
technology’ can be used for construction of Pavement
blocks. The Plastone blocks are made from mixture of
waste plastics and stones and have been found to be
five times stronger than the cement concrete block and
is able to withstand more pressure and resist
percolation of water. It has many advantages over the
conventional blocks made of cement. Each Plastone
block consumes 300 plastic carry bags and four to six
PET bottles. It weighs light and has high transverse
 strength. These blocks can be used for
flooring especially outdoor, in raising compound walls and
lining of canals
As per the CPCB and Plastic Waste Management Rules
2016, ‘multi layered packaging means any material used or
to be used for packaging and havingat least one layer of
plastic as the main ingredients in combination with one or
more layers of materials suchas paper, paper board,
polymeric materials, metalizedlayers or aluminum foil, either
in the form of a laminateor co-extruded structure.

Fruit juices and wines can be kept for extended periods of

time at room temperature in containers made from
45
paper, aluminum foil and polyethylene film. and costly. Pyrolysis and gasification are two key
Laminated foil with paper on the inside is used for technologies currently used for tertiary recycling of
packaging tea and sweets. This kind of foil is three multi-layered packaging waste. If Tertiary recycling not
times as waterproof as standard foil even in hot possible, Quaternary Recycling, i.e. the process for
climates: the paper absorbs moisture while the foil recovering energy from waste plastics by incineration
itself protects the contents against other negative may also be considered to recycle multi-layered
elements. Most companies prefer multi layered plastics.
packaging because it is light, reduces shipping
volume, doesn’t take up much space on a shelf, and is 3.3.3.5. Styrofoam and Tetra Pak
graphics friendly. Multi layered packaging waste has a) Styrofoam (Extruded polystyrene foam)
found mention in the Plastic Waste Management Rules, Plastic with recycling symbol of #6, Styrofoam is the
2016 and its amendment in 2018. trademarked name of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS).
It is commonly used in food, insulating materials,
• No one shall manufacture multi layered packaging and shipping packaging. EPS is cheap to produce,
unless they obtain a registration from the State lightweight, and recyclable, yet most Materials
Pollution Control Board Recovery Facilities still do not accept it as part of
• Manufacture and use of multi layered plastic which is the recycling program and is impossible to degrade
non- recyclable or non-energy recoverable or with naturally over time, making it a big problem for
16
no alternate fuel, should be phased out in two years’ landfills .
time
• Extended Producer Responsibility: Primary Recycling of Styrofoam:
responsibility for collection of used multilayered Recyclers have found ways to compact the material to a
plastic sachet or pouches or packaging is of more manageable size. Balers take foam packaging
Producers, Importers and Brand owners who and compress it, reducing the bulk somewhat.
introduce the products containing multilayered Another method is to use limonene, a natural solvent
plastic in the market made from orange peels. Limonene dissolves and
concentrates EPS and can itself be reused. The
Tertiary Recycling is most preferred option till the chemical causes the EPS foam to “melt” without heat,
industry finds an alternative to Multi layered packaging reducing it to 5% of its original size. Thermal
since separating the individual layers is difficult compaction uses heat to reduce chopped EPS to a
concentrated brick that’s easier to ship.
When it is burned in municipal incinerators, polystyrene
yields nothing but carbon dioxide and water vapor. It’s a
good fuel for waste-to-energy plants that capture the heat
and turn it to useful purposes.

Benefits of recycling Styrofoam:

• Recycled EPS product that looks like wood and can
be used for park benches and fence posts. The
material costs less than hardwood and can be used
instead of woods such as mahogany and teak,
which are rvested from rainforests.
 47

• Making polystyrene requires petroleum, which is a Polystyrene can produce toxic chemicals when burned
non-renewable resource. So, recycling polystyrene unless efficient incinerators are used.
reduces the amount of oil needed for the
manufacturing process. b)Tetra Pak
• Recycled EPS would lead to reduction of litter both It is multinational food packaging and processing
on land and in the sea company of Swedish origin. The company offers
• Recycling consumer polystyrene also prevents packaging, filling machines and processing for dairy,
the material from being burned in backyard fires. beverages, cheese, ice-cream and prepared food,

Snapshot of countries that have introduced regulations on Styrofoam products

17
The table below highlights a snapshot of few countries that have introduced regulations on Styrofoam products:

Area Country Year Level Policy Features

Asia Sri Lanka 2017 National Ban- into Type: Ban on the import, sale, and use of polyethylene bags
entered <20µ and Styrofoam containers (Sri Lanka bans plastic, 2017;
force Jayasekara, 2012)

Indonesia 2016 Local – Ban- into Type: Ban on the use of Styrofoam in the city of Bandung
Bandung entered (Hong, 2016).
force

Philippines 2011 Local – Ban- into Type: Ban on the use of plastic bags on dry goods,
Muntinlupa entered regulations on their use for wet goods in the city of
force Muntinlupa & Ban on the use of Styrofoam and styropor
(Earth justice,
2015).

Centr Belize 2018 National Ban- approved Type: Ban on single-use plastic shopping bags, Styrofoam,
al & and plastic food utensils (Government of Belize Press Office,
South 2018).
Ameri
Antig 2017 National Ban- into Type: Ban on Styrofoam with an implementation plan of
ca
ua entered three stages. Ban on food service containers since 2017,
and force from 2018 onwards ban on plastic utensils (e.g. spoons,
Barbu straws, food trays, etc.) and ban on importation and use of
da Styrofoam coolers (Nice, Ltd, 2017).

Guatemal 2017 Local – Ban- into Type: Ban on plastic bags and Styrofoam containers in San
a San entered Pedro La Laguna. Cantel, Quetzaltenango and San Juan
Pedro La force Sacatepéquez have introduced similar laws (Chiyal, 2017).
Laguna
and
other
cities

North Canada 2018 Local- Ban- into Type: Ban on plastic bags <50µ in Montreal (Quebec)
Ameri Montreal entered (Fundira,
ca effect 2016).
 United 2015 Local- Ban- into Type: Ban on single-use Styrofoam containers
States of New entered instituted in New York City. The ban was challenged
America York force by a coalition of recycling firms and plastics
City, manufacturers who claimed the material is recyclable.
New The ban was lifted in 2015 and reintroduced in 2017
York (Alexander, 2017).

Oceani Mars 2017 National Ban- into Type: Ban on importation, manufacture and use of single-use
a hall entered plastic carrier bags. Ban on Styrofoam and plastic cups, plates
Islan force and packages (SPREP, 2018; Styrofoam and Plastic Products
ds Prohibition Act, 2016).
47
including distribution tools like accumulators, cap
applicators, conveyors, crate packers, film wrappers,
line controllers and straw applicators.

It has 6 layers of packaging. Tetra Pak was founded

by Ruben Rausing and built on Erik Wallenberg’s
innovation, a tetrahedron shaped plastic-coated paper
carton, from which the company name was derived.
Tetra Pak products have been identified as solid waste
problem by many NGOs and environmental groups.
Unlike aluminum cans or glass bottles, it cannot be
different materials, or if not recycled, can end up in
recycled in municipal recycling facilities. However, 18
landfills .
since aseptic packages contain different layers of
plastic and aluminium in addition to raw paper, they
Products of Tetra Pak can be handled and recycled
cannot be recycled as “normal” paper waste, but need
just like multi-layered plastics.
to go to special recycling units for separation of the

CASE STUDY: GO GREEN INITIATIVE OF TETRA PAK

Tetra Pak India has come up with ‘Go Green’ initiative thereby encouraging recycling of cartons. It has partnered with
McCann Health India for its campaign ‘Cartons le aao, classroom banao’ (bring cartons and build a classroom), which
encourages consumers to adopt green practices by depositing used paper-based Tetra Pak cartons for recycling at
collection centres. Such cartons can be used to make desks, notepads, exam pads and even roofing sheets for the less
privileged. The initiative is in line with its efforts to raise awareness and encourage recycling of used cartons and a part
of its on-going flagship programme ‘Go green with Tetra Pak.’

Since the beginning of the Go green campaign in 2010, 1.8 million cartons have already been collected and
recycled and 250 school desks have been provided to schools for the lesser privileged through this campaign. The
campaign is a multi-city one and the first leg in Mumbai has been undertaken in collaboration with retail chains
Reliance Fresh, Reliance Smart and Sahakari Bhandar and with NGO RUR Greenlife, a Mumbai-based environment
organisation at the forefront of promoting recycling.

To take the campaign message to Mumbaikars across the city, Tetra Pak has also tied up with the Dabbawala
association as part of the campaign.

Source: https://bestmediainfo.com/2017/04/tetra-pak-india-continues-go-green-initiative-encourages-recycling-of-cartons/
 49

3.3.3.6. Applications of Recycled Plastics

PETE or PET PET- Polyethylene Terephthalate used for many bottles application because they are
inexpensive, lightweight, and shatter- resistant.
(RECYCLED PRODUCTS: Mineral/ Drinking Water Bottles, Cosmetic Bottles)

HDPE HDPE- High Density Polyethylene used for in bottles, carry bags, milk pouches, recycle
bins, etc.
(RECYCLED PRODUCTS: Tubes, sewer pipes, pallets, boxes, buckets, toys, bottles for
detergents, construction, cable insulation, packaging of food products etc.)

PVC PVC- Polyvinyl Chloride used for pipes and fittings, Tarpaulins, Medical Apps., etc.
(RECYCLED PRODUCTS: Sewer Pipes, Window frames, Construction, Flooring,
Wallpaper, Bottles, Car Interiors, Medical products, Planks, etc.)

LDPE LDPE- Low Density Polyethylene used in Plastic bags, various containers, dispensing
bottles, wash bottles, tubing, etc.
(RECYCLED PRODUCTS: Flexible packaging, bin liners, carrier bags, tubes, agricultural
mulch film, agricultural sheet, construction film, cling-film, heavy duty sacks, etc.)

PP PP- Polypropylene used in Auto parts, Industrial Fibers, Food containers, etc.
(RECYCLED PRODUCTS: Pipes, pallets, boxes, furniture, car parts, pots of
yoghurt, buckets, butter, margarine, fibers, milk crates, etc.)

PS PS- Polystyrene is used in food service packaging, disposable cups, tray pitchers,
refrigerators, liners, etc. It may also be used as cushioning materials for fresh produce,
electronic or appliance industries, etc.
(RECYCLED PRODUCTS: Clothes Hangers, Park Benches, Flower Pots, Toys, Spoons,
Cutlery, Picture Frames, Seeding containers, etc.)

Others Others (usually, Mixed Plastic Waste, used in Thermoset Plastics, Multilayer and
laminates, Bakelite, Polycarbonate, etc.)
(RECYCLED PRODUCTS: CDs, Pallets, Floors, Roofs, Furniture, Sheeting, Benches,
Shoe soles, etc.)
Figure: Applications of Recycled Plastic

49
CASE STUDY: CONVERSION OF PET BOTTLE WASTE INTO TEXTILE PRODUCTS
A Petro- Chemical company has taken an initiative to collect the PET bottle waste from all over India and convert
it into textile products. It has tied up with 150 vendors in India to provide PET bottle bales for processing into
textile products.

The company is installing RVM (Reverse Vending Machines) at various locations such as Malls, Exhibition
Centres, School/ Colleges and Temples/ Pilgrimage Places, for collection of PET bottle waste and creating
awareness among citizens to use the PET bottles responsibly. These collected bottles are recycled and used to
make fabrics for bags, T-shirts and garments in composition with natural fibres like cotton, wool etc.

The company uses 4 R model which includes the concept of ‘Replace’ along with the existing 3R model
(Reduce, Reuse and Recycle). It has replaced natural raw materials with used PET bottles and for every 8000 PET
bottles recycled, one full barrel of Oil is saved.

The wet colouring process in the product of Polyester staple fibre into dry one with no Pollution. Elimination of
wet dyeing from process also eliminates all the associated pollution. The process of using dry dyeing is an
advantage to environment.

Henceforth, every bag or T shirt made from PET bottles:

1. Reduces the usage of water by 1400 Litres
2. Redeems 8 waste PET bottle from the land-fill
3. Reduces pesticide usage by over 50%
4. Reduces carbon foot-print by 32%

This eco-friendly process of conversion of PET bottles to bags/textile products is based on zero waste
concept, uses renewable energy, prevents sewage pollution, reduces consumption of bags and creates green
environment.

Reverse Vending Machine (RVM):

Machine specification
• Dimension in Inch:72” (H) x 38” (W) x 32” (D)
• Dimension in Ft: 6 Ft ( Height) x 3.1 Ft (Width) x 2.66 Ft (Breath)
• External 17” Led Screen for coupon management and branding.
• Dual cylinder hydraulic compression.
• 220 V Single Phase Motor, 50 HZ, 1.5 kW
• Internal coupon printer.
• Collection bin with capacity to collect 15kg of crushed plastic
• Sensors to detect bottles with auto stop functionality
• Wi-Fi/3G network operations with remote software access.
• Galvanized sheets with carbon steel load bearing components
 51

PET bottle recycling system:

This case study is created based on the information shared by ‘Reliance Industries Limited’. Similar model may be adopted and replicated by other
companies.
51
3.3.4.Recovery processing indicate substitution of primary fuel and
Another alternative is recovering the energy stored in raw material by waste, and/or material from waste.
residual material. That means turning waste into fuel Waste material such as plastic waste used for co-
for manufacturing processes or equipment designed processing are referred to as alternative fuels and
to produce energy. Various mechanical, biological raw material (AFR). Co-processing of plastic waste
and caloric systems and technologies can convert, offers advantages for cement industry as well as for
reprocess or break up wastes into new materials or the Municipal Authorities responsible for waste
energy. management. On other hand, cement producers or
power plants can save fossil fuel and raw material
3.3.4.1.Plastic to Alternate Fuel consumption, contributing more eco-efficient
(Co-processing of Plastic Waste as Alternate Fuel production. In addition, one of the advantages of
and Raw Material (AFR) in cement Kilns and Power recovery method is to eliminate the need to invest on
Plants) other plastic waste practices and to secure land filling.
Co-processing refers to use of waste materials in The schematic flow diagram of the process is shown in
industrial processes such as cement and power Figure below and protocol for Co-Processing of Plastic
stations or any other large combustion plants. Co- Waste is given in the table below:

Figure: Co-Processing of Plastic Waste

 53

Protocol for Co-processing of plastic waste

Sl. No Item Description Action to be taken by

1 Collection of plastic waste Concerned Municipal Authority should create a Municipal Corporation,
system for collection of plastics waste through Nagar Nigam, Nagar
Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode or any other Parishad & Cantonment
feasible method. Boards

2 Segregation & Pre- Collected plastics can be reprocessed/sorted into Municipal

processing of plastics recyclable and non-recyclable fractions. The Non- Corporation,
waste recyclable plastics waste will be transported to nearest Nagar
cement kilns and power plants for co-processing by Nigam, Nagar Parishad &
concerned Municipal Authority in consultation with Cantonment Boards
concerned State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)/ Pollution
Control Committee (PCC).

3 Identification of cement Mapping of cement kilns and power plant for accepting co- State Pollution Control
factory processing of plastic waste in same State or neighboring Boards & Pollution Control
State. An agreement shall be signed between Municipal
Corporations and Cement kilns.

4 Modification for feeding Cement Industry/power plant to set-up storage Concerned Cement
plastic waste (PW) in facility, shredder, conveyor-belt, hopper, winch- Industries/ power plant
cement kilns machine and double-flap damper.

5 Setting-up of laboratory Cement industry/power plant shall set-up a lab facility Concerned Cement
for plastics waste to analyze plastics waste before sending for co- Industries/ power plant
analysis processing. The instrumentation include Thermo-
Gravimetric Analyzer, Bomb- Calorimeter and C, H, N &
S Analyzer.

6 Monitoring of emission by Cement Industry/power plant shall monitor the emission Concerned Cement Industry
cement industry/ SPCBs in respect of routine parameters and hazardous air , Power Plant and SPCBs/
pollutants (HAPs) PCCs

7 Forwarding progress Quarterly progress report of Co-processing of plastic waste SPCBs/PCCs and Cement
Report to CPCB shall be forwarded to CPCB. Industries/ Power Plant
53
CASE STUDY: PLASTIC TO ALTERNATE FUEL
(Co-Processing of Plastics Waste in Cement Kiln- ACC Cement Limited (Gagal Cement Works)

Company Details:
ACC Limited is India’s foremost manufacturer of cement and concrete. ACC’s operations are spread
throughout the country with 16 modern cement factories, more than 40 Ready mix concrete plants. Since
inception in 1936, the company has been a trendsetter and IMPORTANT benchmark for the cement industry in
many areas of cement and concrete technology. ACC has a unique track record of innovative research,
product development and specialized consultancy services. The company’s various manufacturing units are
backed by a central technology support services center - the only one of its kind in the Indian cement industry.
Gagal Cement Works is one of cement plants in ACC Group.

Green Soldiers from Gagal Cement works launched first project titled ‘Making Gagal Plastic Free’. Segregation is
the essence of effective waste management and hence, a workshop was organized for the stakeholders.
All colony and local village residents were invited for a discussion on the strategy. Green Soldiers team was
trained on the ways to segregate the plastic waste. The Green Soldiers team collected about 53 Tonnes of
plastic waste, which was successfully co-processed in Gagal cement kiln.

Project Details:
The plastic waste collected from the villages, colony and plant premises were weighed at the weighbridge each
week after the collection drive. The drive started with collection of 50 kgs/week, which is presently recording
approximately 2 Tonnes of collection per week. This gave a clear indication that the stakeholders were
increasingly becoming more aware about segregation and concerned about their environment.

Result of the Project and Replication Potential:

• Co-processing of waste at cement kiln is the best
disposal option than conventional options of
landfilling and incineration. It also substitutes fossil
fuel.
• The initiative can be replicated across other
industries and companies countrywide, as well as
at a global level. The beauty of the initiative is that,
keeping the ideas intact, the projects can easily be
moulded to suit the climate, topography and
biodiversity of any area across the world. Our natural
resources are getting scarce by the minute and
alternate fuels such as bio-charcoal / plastic
are an excellent way to alleviate this paucity of non- renewable
energy sources
 55

Material Heat Material Heat

Capac Capacity
ity MJ/ MJ/kg
kg

PVC 18 Heavy fuel oil 41

PE 27 Coal 26

PET 46 Natural gas 36

PS 41 Milled peat 10

ABS 35 Paper 17

Waste Incineration
Waste incineration, or controlled burning, is typically
considered as a disposal method, because it is usually
applied as a method of reducing the volume of
miscellaneous municipal waste. However, incineration of
plastics can also be seen as recovery method,
as plastics could replace the application of other oil
based fuels.

Table: Heat capacity of plastics and some other materials

55
 57

4. Way Forward
19
4.1.Ten step Roadmap for Governments explaining the decision and any punitive measures
Given the broad range of possible actions to curb that will follow.
single-use plastics and their mixed impact, UN 6. Promote alternatives. Before the ban or levy
Environment has drawn up a 10-step roadmap comes into force, the availability of alternatives need
for governments that are looking to adopt similar to be assessed, hence the government may:
measures or improve on current ones. The steps are • Ensure that the preconditions for their uptake in
based on the experiences of 60 countries around the the market are in place.
globe: • Provide economic incentives to encourage
the uptake of eco-friendly and fit-for-purpose
1. Target the most problematic single-use alternatives that do not cause more harm.
plastics by conducting a baseline assessment to • Support can include tax rebates, research and
identify the most problematic single-use plastics, as development funds, technology incubation,
well as the current causes, extent and impacts of public-private partnerships, and support to
their mismanagement. projects that recycle single-use items and turn
2. Consider the best actions to tackle the waste into a resource that can be used again.
problem (e.g. through regulatory, economic, • Reduce or abolish taxes on the import of materials
awareness, voluntary actions), given the country’s used to make alternatives.
socio-economic standing and considering their 7. Provide incentives to industry by introducing tax
appropriateness in addressing the specific rebates or other conditions to support its transition.
problems identified. Governments will face resistance from the plastics
3. Assess the potential social, economic and industry, including importers and distributors of
environmental impacts (positive and negative) plastic packaging. Give them time to adapt.
of the preferred short-listed instruments/actions, 8. Use revenues collected from taxes or levies on
by considering how will the poor be affected, or single-use plastics to maximize the public good,
what impact will the preferred course of action thereby supporting environmental projects or
have on different sectors and industries. boosting local recycling with the funds and creating
4. Identify and engage key stakeholder groups jobs in the plastic recycling sector with seed
– retailers, consumers, industry representatives, funding.
local government, manufacturers, civil society, 9. Enforce the measure chosen effectively, by making
environmental groups, and tourism associations – sure that there is clear allocation of roles and
to ensure broad buy-in. Evidence-based studies responsibilities.
are also necessary to defeat opposition from the 10. Monitor and adjust the chosen measure if
plastics industry. necessary and update the public on progress.
5. Raise public awareness about the harm
caused by single-used plastics, by clearly
57
4.2.Adoption of ‘Circular Economy’ In a circular economy, the value of products and
20
A circular economy aims to eliminate waste, not materials is maintained for as long as possible. Waste
just from recycling processes, but throughout the is minimized and resources are kept within the
lifecycles of products and packaging. A circular economy when a product has reached the end of its
economy aims to maximize value and eliminate waste life, to be used again to create further value.
by improving the design of materials, products and
business models.

A circular economy goes beyond recycling. The goal is

not just to design for better end-of-life recovery, but to
minimize the use of raw materials and energy through a
restorative system.

Figure: Overview of ‘Circular Economy’

 59

4.3.Extended Producer’s Responsibilities (EPR) Model-1:

In addition to the responsibilities of Producer’s, Plastic State/ ULB to introduce ‘Buy back Depository
Waste Management Rules, 2016 defines the Extended Mechanism’ with a predefined buy back price printed
Producer’s Responsibility (EPR), as responsibility of a on plastic products, so that consumers will receive a
producer for the environmentally sound management specified amount while returning the used products.
of the product until the end of its life. The manufacturers/ producers of these plastic
products need to set up collection centres with reverse
Rule 9 of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 vending or crushing machines and recycling units of
(PWMR, 2016), sets out modalities for implementation of adequate capacity to collect such used plastic
EPR under the ambit of the rules. The producers are products/packaging and recycle these. This model not
required to set out modalities for waste collection only incentivises consumers to not litter plastic
system based on Extended Producers Responsibility products/ packaging post consumption but also
and involving State Urban Development Departments, encourages retailers/producers to recycle more.
either individually or collectively, through their own
distribution channel or through the local body Following are some of the ways in which this model
concerned. may be implemented:
• The ‘Deposit Return schemes’ operating in
In this regard, below mentioned models suggesting Germany, England, etc. suggest a model wherein
producers’ responsibilities may be considered to the consumer has to pay an additional deposit as
improve recycling: part of the price of the product, and deposit is
returned to the consumer on return of the product
to the retailer.
Figure: Model-1 of EPR

59
Figure: Model-2 of EPR

• The consumers may also use the “reverse vending

machines” which weigh and scan the plastic
product to match against a list of acceptable
shapes and sizes. If it matches the list, the product
would go down a chute for either recycling or
shredding, and the machine hands the consumer a
voucher to be encashed at any of the store. The
machines could be located at strategic places, such
as malls, hotels, multiplexes, shops, public places,
etc. to make these easily accessible by citizens and
encourage them to use the same.
• As a part of EPR, the producers can sign
agreements with the retailers to return the plastic
product/ packaging, as received from the consumer
for recycling purpose. The barcode on these
products/ packaging may be used for tracking.

Model-2:
A national Framework on EPR is proposed where the
producers/importers/brand owner is required to
contribute to the EPR corpus fund at the central level.
This may be an escrow account managed by a Board
where government, private and other stakeholders • A committee will be constituted at the central level
including producers/importer/brand owner can for overall monitoring the implementation of the
become members. The amount to be contributed EPR.
by each of the producers/ importer/ brand owner • The State Level Advisory Boards (SLABs)
will be decided based on the amount of plastic constituted under the Solid Waste Management
being introduced into the market by the producers/ Rules 2016 at the state level will manage the
importer/ brand owner. Under the National process of appraising the proposals submitted by
Framework of EPR, funding will be provided to 3 the ULBs and disbursement of funds to the ULBs,
entities, one is the ULB, second is the assembler/ recyclers and for IEC activity.
recycler and the third is through SPCB for • Representative of producers/ importer/ brand owner
conducting IEC Activities. to be part of SLABs.
 61

Figure: Model-3 of EPR

• The proposal of ULBs will be compulsorily for the

management of plastic waste
• Funds will be provided for a pre-defined set of items
like weighing machines, bailing units, backward/
forwards integration of the recycling units to
recyclers/assemblers.
• Funds can be allocated by SLABs to the SPCB for
the IEC activities. SPCBs can appoint selected
agencies for conducting these activities. A
systematic implementation schedule can be
prepared by SPCB and based on the schedule they
can conduct IEC Activities.
• A monitoring mechanism will be established for
timely implementation of projects/ allotment of pre-
defined items to recyclers/assemblers.
Model-3: • An instrument called ‘Plastic Credit’ is proposed
The basic framework of the system will perform asfollows: to be introduced which is and will be evidence of
• Targets will be assigned to producers based on recycling or recovery.
the plastic put out by them in the market • Plastic Credit will be issued by accredited
• Producers will not be required to recycle processors in exchange of financial transactions to
their own plastics, but will be required to producers (or PROs)
ensure that an equivalent amount of plastic is • The funds generated by the processors will
being recycled/ reused
61
 incentivize the collection and segregation systems • The system is designed to ensure funding may be
(through ULBs) and the recycling industries directed to remove bottlenecks in the material
to increase capacity and capability to ensure recovery chain through market corrections. Market
environmentally sound end of life management of would correct itself and guide funding to sources
plastic waste such as material collection, sorting, reprocessing or
• Producers will be at liberty to engage individually supporting end use markets. Hence, businesses will
(through buy back or deposit refund schemes) or have incentive to support long term investments to
collectively (through registered PROs) will the ULBS, support their efforts.
processors and the inform sector
• They system aims to create a marketplace for
plastic credits which can be traded

PLASTIC CREDIT
• A producer is not required to recycle their own
packaging, but to ensure that an equivalent amount
of packaging waste has been recovered and
recycled to meet their obligation.
• Producers are mandated to acquire evidence of
recycling or recovery {Plastic Credit} from properly
accredited processors (recyclers, W2E, plant
operators, cement co-processors, users utilizing
plastic in road) or exporters
• Producers and processors/ exporters may
exchange plastic credits for a financial transaction
at a price and other terms as negotiated between
them.
• The producers can exchange credits from
processors that have been specifically accredited
for this purpose by CPCB. The accredited
processors therefore receive additional funding for
every tonne of packaging waste they reprocess
and have an incentive to acquire further tonnage,
thereby driving up recovery rates
 63

References

• Overview of Plastic Waste Management by CPCB

• Toolkit on Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016
• https://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/harmful-effects-
of-plastic- ze0z1205zsch
• https://plasticpollutioncoalition.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/
222813127-Why-is- plastic-harmful-
• Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment ) Rules, 2018
• https://saferenvironment.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/plastic-wastes-
%E2%80%93- reduce-reuse-and-recycle-of-plastics-are-essential-to-make-
environment-greener-and- safer/
• UNIDO 2018 Report by CIPET on ‘Recycling of Plastics in Indian Perspective’ by Dr. Smita
Mohanty
• Research Study by Dr. R. Vasudevan, Dr. A. Ramalinga Chandra Sekar and Mr B. Sundarakannan
from Thiagarajar College of Engineering (TCE), Madurai on ‘Plastone Block – A Precast Structure
Made With Waste Plastics And Stone Aggregate And Its Use In Toilet Construction’
• UN Environment: Single Use Plastics- A Roadmap for Sustainability
• http://earthuntouched.com/plastic-roads-revolutionary-idea/
• 2017 strategy for a waste-free Ontario. Building the circular economy.
• https://www.ontario.ca/page/strategy-waste-free-ontario-building-circular-economy
• https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/polystyrene-recycling1.
htm
• https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/polystyrene-recycling.
htm
• https://www.wikihow.com/Recycle-Styrofoam
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetra_Pak#Environment
• https://bestmediainfo.com/2017/04/tetra-pak-india-continues-go-green-
initiative- encourages-recycling-of-cartons/
63
Annexure
I.Ban on ‘one time use’ and ‘throwaway’ Plastics in Tamil Nadu
65
65
 67

II.Ban on use of plastic carry bags in Himachal Pradesh

67
69
69
V. Government order for the Use of Plastics in Road construction.
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India has made it mandatory for road developers to
use waste plastic along with bituminous mixes for road construction to overcome the problem of disposal of plastic
waste in India’s urban centres.

The road developers will now have to use waste plastic along with hot mixes for constructing bitumen roads within
50 km of periphery of any city that has a population of over 5 lakh.

In case of non-availability of waste plastic the developer has to seek ministry’s approval for constructing bitumen only
roads. The Government Order dated 9th November 2015, is placed below:
75
75
 77

The details of the roads laid using plastic in Tamil Nadu are mentioned below:
The Plastic Waste Mixed Roads laid by District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) of Tamil Nadu are as follows

No Name of District Length in km Cost in Rs. Lakhs

1 Kancheepuram 41.165 120.480

2 Coimbatore 63.250 432.750

3 Cuddalore 43.00 146.410

4 Dharmapuri 34.191 150.660

5 Dindigul 36.670 121.780

6 Kanyakumari 28.021 123.422

7 Karur 30.190 155.060

8 Madurai 54.500 268.460

9 Nagapattinam 31.071 138.857

10 Namakkal 53.780 232.477

11 Perambalur 34.850 220.460

12 Erode 60.110 295.760

13 Pudukkottai 22.930 73.920

14 Ramnad 13.500 54.845

15 Salem 31.685 120.810

16 Sivaganga 22.405 94.800

17 Thanjavur 37.604 199.340

18 The Nilgiris 6.900 34.250

19 Theni 25.000 72.000

20 Thiruvallur 15.000 50.000

21 Thiruvarur 32.705 139.120

22 Trichy 43.000 171.300

23 Tirunelveli 32.890 179.500

77
 No Name of District Length in km Cost in Rs. Lakhs

24 Tiruvannamalai 39.100 172.000

25 Tuticorin 37.000 205.650

26 Vellore 52.770 211.260

27 Villupuram 54.100 282.940

28 Virudhunagar 25.200 102.800

29 Krishnagiri 28.802 158.72

Total 1031.389 158.72

More than 1031 Kms of rural roads have been laid by DRDA, Tamil Nadu, distributing a minimum of 40 Kms for
each district. This was extended to all the 29 districts of Tamil Nadu.

The plastic waste bitumen road are also laid in various states such as Kerala, Karnataka, Pondicherry,
Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.