Environmentalists and NGOs led by the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Smriti Manch brought to the notice of Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, how Indian recyclers and private companies continued to import plastic waste in the form of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) flakes and lumps, despite the ban which came into force from September 1, 2019. The Centre has further tightened the rule by bringing clarity in the import ban order which will be applicable for plastic waste in all forms.
The companies preferred import of plastic flakes and lumps as they found it cheaper compared to collection and recycling of locally generated plastic waste. The plastic flakes import ban will compel recyclers to procure raw material (plastic waste) locally.