Plastic Waste Management in Goa

Since 2011, Goa has banned retailers from providing free plastic carry bags to customers. Local municipalities have the power to set their own minimum price for such bags, and are entrusted by the state government to encourage consumers to bring their own, re-usable bags when shopping. Additionally, tobacco and guthka packets are forbidden from using plastic packaging. Despite these measures, plastic waste remains a large issue in Goa and throughout India, as local authorities have not adequately set up collection facilities and mechanisms to recycle plastics. In this report, the govt. of Goa gives new observations and guidelines for plastic waste removal in the state. The state acknowledges that plastic waste may be used as a valuable additive in road pavement, as its incorporation helps prevent pothole formation. Additionally, plastics may be incinerated and used as a power source for cement kilns and factories, so long as incinerators are kept in good condition to avoid the release of toxic gases. In some cases, plastics may be converted back into liquid fuel or recycling into new products. The state acknowledges that none of the measures will solve Goa’s plastic waste management (PWM) problem on its own, but when taken together can present valuable alternatives to the current system.

Click here to open PDF: An overview on Plastic Management