PANJIM: Goa ranked at the top in the per capita plastic waste generation in the country for the year 2019-20.
As per the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) annual report for 2019-20, Goa generated approximately 26,086.3 tonnes per annum (TPA) of plastic waste during the year.
The report states that Goa generated 12,000 (gram for the year) plastic waste per capita, thus ranking at the top of the chart, followed by Delhi (10,000) and Kerala (8,000).
Per capita plastic waste generation has been calculated based on the population of the state. Goa’s population is approximately 15 lakh persons.
Interestingly, the Goa government has submitted to the CPCB that it has imposed a complete ban on the manufacture, sale and use of plastic bags.
The State also informed the board that it has amended the Goa Non-biodegradable Garbage Control Act to ban single-use plastic.
As per the State’s submission, there are 35 registered plastic manufacturing units, one compostable plastic unit and multilayer plastic unit, respectively. However, it failed to provide details with regard to functioning of any unregistered units in the State.
The State also informed CPCB that the non-biodegradable waste collected by local bodies is sent for co-incineration in cement plants through Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC). GWMC has also set up three bailing stations each at Bicholim, Verna, Cocora. In additions to these, 11 urban local bodies and four village panchayats have bailing facility.