New bio waste rules in place

New rules have been notified to manage hazardous medical waste.
The rules make provisions for phasing out the use of chlorinated plastic bags, gloves and blood bags within two years and establishing bar-code system for bags and containers containing bio-medical waste for disposal.
Bio-medical wastes include human and animal anatomical waste, treatment apparatus and materials used for treatment research.
At present 484 tonnes of bio-medical wastes are generated and 198 common bio-medical waste treatment facilities in operation.
“The new bio-medical waste management rules will change the way the country used to manage this waste earlier.” said environment minister, Prakash Javadenkar, “thus, bringing a big difference to Clean India Mission”.