New Delhi.The Government has notified Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999 (amended in 2003) to regulate the manufacture and use of plastic carry bags, containers and recycling of plastics wastes. These rules, inter alia, provide that plastic carry bags should have a minimum thickness of 20 microns, carry bags or containers made of recycled plastic shall not be used for packaging of food stuffs, manufacturing of carry bags or container will be undertaken only by units registered with State Pollution Control Boards/ Committees and recycling of plastic waste will be done in accordance with BIS specifications. Several States have prescribed stricter norms with regard to minimum thickness of plastic carry bags, ranging from 30 to 70 microns. Some States have banned the use of plastic carry bags throughout the State or in ecologically sensitive /tourist places.

Indiscriminate littering and improper collection and disposal of plastic carry bags and pouches can pose problems for human health and environment.