Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), biodegradable polymers, naturally produced by many micro organisms accumulate as energy reserves under abundant carbon and limiting nitrogen source. In this study, bacterial isolates from dairy effluent, oil dipped cloth, local mess food and oil wastes and few type cultures were screened for PHA production. The bacteria isolated from oil dipped cloth produced maximum concentration of PHA and this was later identified as Bacillus cereus by 16S rDNA analysis. Maximum production of PHA (48.39% of dry cell weight) was noticed when the bacteria was grown in Minimal medium 7 (Mm 7) containing 2% glucose and 1% ammonium sulphate as carbon and nitrogen sources respectively. Growth and production followed a specific pattern in which PHA production started on 4th day reaching its maximum on day 5. Accumulated PHA granules were characterized by Sudan black staining and the FTIR spectra showed bands characteristic of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB).