India News | Delhi Minister Gopal Rai Urges Centre to Authorise More Labs to Test Alternative to Single-use Plastic

New Delhi, Jul 13 (PTI) Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has written to the Centre, requesting it to authorise more laboratories to test compostable products, which are alternatives to single-use plastic, to facilitate startups.

In a letter to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Rai said that discussions with stakeholders at the Plastic Vikalp Mela at Thyagaraj Stadium revealed that manufacturers of compostable products need to get those tested by the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET) laboratory before obtaining a certificate from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Also Read | Gujarat Shocker: Police Arrest Mokshi Village Sarpanch for Raping Widow Sister-in-Law.

Since CIPET is the only laboratory in the country to carry out such tests, the manufacturers have to wait for almost six months and also have to pay a hefty amount of around Rs 4 lakh to 5 lakh, he said

With more testing laboratories, manufacturers of alternatives to single-use plastic can get the certification at affordable rates and in a reasonable time, Rai said.

Also Read | Sri Lanka Warns Public From Using Cryptocurrencies Amid Economic Crisis.

"Doing so will motivate the manufacturers to move more towards single-use plastic alternatives and also facilitate better implementation of the single-use plastic ban on the ground," the Delhi environment minister said in the letter.

He also urged the government to encourage new businesses and entrepreneurs that provide alternatives to single-use plastics to eliminate the supply of the 19 banned single-use plastic items.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)