With single use plastic bags constituting half of total plastic waste, the West Bengal government today sought cooperation from all stakeholders to stop proliferation of such packets.
To put to end the practice for using single use plastic bags, "which constitute 50 per cent of the total plastic wastes, we need cooperation from all," Principal Secretary, Department of Environment, Arnab Roy said at the Conference on Sustainable Waste Management.
The event was organized by CII in association with the Department of Environment, West Bengal.
He added the state government was serious about converting wastes into wealth in an environment-friendly manner and make recycling a source of job generation.
Roy said the single use of plastic bags and bottles and piling of tonnes of waste generated at construction and demolition sites remained a matter of concern particularly in a densely populated state like West Bengal.
He said challenges of solid wastes were no longer limited to urban areas of Bengal but "rural areas are also becoming relevant in this aspect."
The Principal Secretary of Environment department said, "make value out of waste, increase efficiency of collection, recycling and processing and make public-private handshaking. The situation will turn win-win for all and the state economy will also get a boost."
The official said the state is keen that all stakeholders the government, industry and citizens come together to evolve a viable solid waste management mechanism.
West Bengal Pollution Control Board Chairman Kalyan Rudra said due to scarcity of land, the state is adopting a cluster approach in solid waste management.
Elaborating, Rudra said, the government has identified common land for dumping wastes in six municipalities in North 24 Parganas district Dum Dum, South Dum Dum, North Dum Dum, Kamarhati, Baranagar and Barrackpore.
Rudra said air quality, solid waste, bio-diversity and river management (Ganges) are some of the key challenges facing the Government. "The stress on environment is increasing. We are living on the edges," he said.
Rudra said, "50 per cent plastics bags and bottles are for single use and thats dangerous.
Chief General Manager, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Subrata Mandal said recycling farm wastes can create business opportunities.
He also said NABARD is playing a major role in funding organic farming carried out in a judicious and environment-friendly manner.
The conference was a platform for technology providers, industrial houses, municipal bodies, financial institutions and community stakeholders to exchange ideas.
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