KSPCB bans ‘compostable’ plastic bags

BENGALURU: Following a recent discovery by experts which highlighted that compostable bags do not actually compost the waste, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) issued a ban on the use of such plastic bags throughout the state. KSPCB has also detailed the ill effects of these bag to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in a letter. The bags were covered under the plastic ban of 2016, but the CPCB has still been granting certifications to manufacturers and sellers.

After a number of instances in which this exemption was misused by the said persons/establishments surfaced, KSPCB appealed the CPCB to disband the certification system for Karnataka altogether.

Although people and establishments with CPCB certification may still use the bags, KSPCB has written to CPCB to not certify manufacture and sales of compostable bags for Karnataka in the future, as several instances in which the leverage was misused by the certificate holders popped up.

Malpractice in the form of affixing a ‘Compostable’ sign on a regular plastic bag was nullifying KSPCB’s work in banning the plastic bags to certain extent and hence the KSPCB has requested CPCB to ban the certification in the state of Karnataka altogether.