Kathmandu,
Jan. 14:
Scientists
and experts have said that Nepal needed an integrated national policy for
plastic-related solid waste management.
Speaking
at an international seminar on 'Plastic waste management' organized by the
PlastNepal Foundation, they urged the government and industries to adopt
multi-stakeholder approach in addressing the challenges created by plastic
waste.
"There
should be national level discussion in terms of plastic waste management. To
suggest policy initiatives to the government a task force should be created by
including representatives from the government, Federation of Nepalese Chambers
of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries,
non-government organisations and other stakeholders," said Bharat Acharya,
vice-chairman of Industry Committee at the FNCCI and member of Council of
International Plastic Industry Association.
Founder
and chief executive officer of the Himalayan Climate Initiative Prashant Shingh
said that in addition to the policy on plastic, the country needed a rule for
tetra pack recycling and management.
He
said that about 20,000 tons of PET bottles were thrown as waste in a year in
Nepal. His organization is recycling PET bottles, and has recycled 10 million
bottles so far.
Minister
for Industry Nabindra Raj Joshi said that since plastic has become an
indispensible element in human life, the country should find a way to balance
the use and management of plastic.
He
urged the businessmen to come up with an effective strategy to lessen the
negativity about the plastic products.
Joint
secretary of the Ministry of Industry Rishi Raj Koirala, however, said that the
government had taken some policy initiatives in the past such as banning
polythene bags and offering 80 per cent discount on excise duty to the plastic
recycling industries.
"Due
to high cost in collection and segregation of the plastic waste, businessmen
are discouraged to establish recycling plants," he said.
Former
Minister for Science, Technology and Environment Ganesh Shah underscored the
need of awareness campaign for the proper use, segregation and recycling of
plastic waste.
Atul
Kanuga, a plastic expert from India, suggested the government for the source
segregation, education of public and private institutions and establishment of
the composting plants to manage the solid waste.
Secretary
of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Dr. Buddhi Ratna
Khadge said that the NAST had been working on to find out the commercial
management of the plastic and other solid waste.
“We
have been producing petrol from the waste plastic and a team is studying the
viability of its commercial production.
Chairman
of the PlastNepal Sharad Tibrewala emphasized on the need to create a ecosystem
for waste management.
(Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 15 January 2017).
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