The state government is toying with the idea of imposing a ban on plastic bags.

At a workshop on solid waste management in Patna on Friday, senior officials of the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) said the state government was actively considering a proposal in this regard.

"Use of plastic bags below 50 microns is already prohibited across the country," said Vivek Kumar Singh, principal secretary, state environment and forests department, who holds additional charge as BSPCB chairman. "Central government guidelines on solid waste management allow shopkeepers to give plastic bags only after registering for the same by paying monthly charges of Rs 4,000."

In the past, the Patna civic body has taken several steps to restrict use of plastic bags but implementation was never effective. It first imposed a ban on plastic bags below 40 microns in October 2013, adhering to the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, that the Union environment and forests ministry notified on February 7, 2011.

Salient features of the rules include a ban on manufacture and use of recyclable carry bags less than 40 microns and prohibition on use of carry bags made of recycled or compostable plastics for storing, carrying, dispensing or packaging food stuff.

Another provision of the rule envisages that no carry bag should be made available free of cost to consumers by the retailers. An authorised poly bag above 40 microns is required to have the name of manufacturer and licence details from the state pollution control board.

A majority of provisions could not be implemented successfully for practical issues. For instance, a poly bag below 40 microns costs around 30 paise and that above 40 microns is around Rs 1.50. Besides, the PMC's 2013 prohibition order, fixed minimum price of plastic bags above 40 microns at Rs 5, making it comparatively expensive for customers.

Plastic bags apart, chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh instructed officials in urban local bodies to ensure sufficient dustbins to avoid spilling of garbage. "Garbage should be dumped in dustbins but these should be civic bodies should ensure there are enough dustbins," Singh said. The chief secretary, who was chief guest, also launched a mobile app that facilitates filing of application to take consent for various activities from BSPCB. "Waste is wealth. People should opt for composting garbage to make manure and fertilisers," said Singh.

Municipal Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2000, also makes it mandatory for biodegradable urban wastes to be composted or vermicomposted.

Chaitanya Prasad, principal secretary, urban development and housing department, said plans are afoot for separate storm water drainage and sewerage networks in all cities. Scientists in BSPCB gave presentations on construction waste and e-waste during the technical presentation.