The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has taken a firm stance against environmental negligence by issuing a show-cause notice to a prominent cigarette manufacturer. This action comes after the company repeatedly failed to comply with directives to launch a pilot project for the separate collection and scientific disposal of cigarette butt waste in Bengaluru.
Repeated Reminders and Personal Hearing Ignored
Despite multiple reminders and even a personal hearing, the cigarette manufacturer, which produces approximately 80% of all cigarettes in the market, did not respond to KSPCB's instructions. The board, adhering to the 'polluter pays' principle, has now formally demanded an explanation for this non-compliance under applicable environmental laws.
Cigarette Butts: A Significant Environmental Hazard
A senior KSPCB official emphasized the critical nature of this issue. "The directions were clear. Cigarette butts are a significant source of microplastic pollution and contain multiple carcinogenic compounds. Since the cigarette manufacturing company is a major producer, the responsibility to implement the pilot rests with the manufacturer," the official stated.
Cigarette butts, often discarded near smoking zones, roads, and public spaces, are treated as plastic-coated multilayer plastic according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines. Currently, even the butts collected by shops and establishments are improperly mixed with dry or mixed waste, contravening CPCB norms which mandate separate collection and disposal through authorized channels only.
Pilot Project Details and Implementation Hurdles
KSPCB had earlier instructed the cigarette company to undertake a pilot project involving:
- Separate collection of cigarette butts from high-footfall public locations in Bengaluru.
- Ensuring disposal through approved incinerators following standard operating procedures and regulatory approvals.
The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) had identified potential high-footfall zones, particularly in the central business district including areas like MG Road and Brigade Road, where separate bins and collection systems could be tested. However, the project has not been rolled out so far, leading to the issuance of the show-cause notice.
BSWML's Proposed Solutions for Effective Waste Management
Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) has outlined specific measures it wants the cigarette manufacturing company to implement:
- Introduce specialized bins where ash is collected in the lower base and cigarette butts are collected at the top.
- Engage an empanelled vendor to exclusively collect and scientifically process the butts and ash.
- Support the installation of bins and awareness campaigns to discourage dumping of cigarette butts in public places, pubs, and restaurants.
Currently, while bins are available, only a few smokers dispose of cigarette butts properly. Most butts end up in landfills, water bodies, and on roadsides, entering BSWML's mixed-waste stream and exacerbating environmental pollution.
This regulatory action highlights the growing emphasis on corporate accountability in waste management, particularly for products that contribute significantly to urban pollution. The outcome of this notice could set a precedent for how similar waste streams are handled in Indian cities moving forward.
