Starting October, Tamil Nadu will enforce a strict regulation mandating that all plastic waste generated in the state must be processed, as part of its comprehensive efforts to combat plastic pollution. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) announced the policy, which requires local bodies, industries, and waste management agencies to ensure that no plastic waste ends up unprocessed in landfills or the environment.
Under this initiative, municipalities and corporations must establish plastic waste segregation and recycling facilities, and industries are obligated to comply with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules by collecting and recycling their plastic products.
“The aim is to make Tamil Nadu a zero-plastic-waste state,” said a senior TNPCB official. “This policy will drive better waste management practices and promote sustainable use of plastic materials.”
Failure to adhere to the guidelines will result in penalties, and industries that do not comply may face restrictions on operations. The government is also offering financial and technical support to local bodies and private players to set up advanced waste processing units.
Environmentalists have lauded the move, highlighting its potential to reduce plastic pollution significantly. Meanwhile, the business community has called for clarity on compliance requirements and incentives for adopting recycling technologies.
This bold policy reflects Tamil Nadu’s leadership in addressing environmental challenges, setting a new standard for effective plastic waste management in India.
