SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has taken significant steps to address plastic pollution, with 32 operational Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) contributing to a marked improvement in plastic waste recycling.
In the fiscal year 2023-24, Jammu Kashmir recycled 52.82 per cent of the 146.14 metric tonnes (MT) of plastic waste generated, an increase from 49.95 per cent of the 124.48 MT generated the previous year. This progress comes in the wake of a notable rise in plastic waste production, reflecting a commitment to strengthen recycling infrastructure, according to various reports appearing in the media.
The MRFs form the backbone of this strategy, facilitating the collection, sorting, and redirection of plastic waste for recycling. In a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) highlighted that 77.2 MT of plastic waste was recycled in 2023-24, compared to 61.94 MT in 2022-23, underscoring the effectiveness of these facilities.
Alongside expanded recycling operations, the JKPCC claimed it has implemented several preventive measures. Local authorities have registered plastic pickers to boost waste collection and are routinely inspecting areas to phase out single-use plastics (SUPs) and thin plastic bags under 120 microns, which are non-recyclable. Awareness campaigns are a cornerstone of these initiatives, with approximately 10,000 cloth bags, funded by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, distributed across districts to encourage alternatives to plastic.
Enforcement measures also play a role. Fines amounting to Rs 28.81 lakh were imposed in 2023-24 for infractions involving banned SUPs, compared to Rs 42.40 lakh the prior year. The JKPCC reported a decrease in the seizure of SUPs, with 19.33 MT confiscated in 2023-24, down from 40.67 MT in 2022-23.
Jammu and Kashmir has also implemented production restrictions. Disposable single-use plastic water bottles have been banned, and the manufacture and sale of plastic items under 120 microns are prohibited. There are currently no single-use plastic manufacturing units operating in Jammu and Kashmir, aiding in the reduction of non-recyclable plastics.
According to the JKPCC, these cumulative actions reflect Jammu and Kashmir’s proactive approach to managing plastic waste, with MRFs serving as a central component in the region’s strategy to mitigate plastic pollution.
