Ban on single-use plastic comes into effect from today

National

Centre’s ban on some single-use plastics, aimed at reducing plastic waste, goes into force today.

Single-use plastics are goods that are frequently thrown after being used only once and do not go through the recycling process. They contribute significantly to plastic pollution. The harmful effects and dangers of scattered single-use plastic goods on both terrestrial and marine ecosystems are widely acknowledged.

Earbuds with plastic sticks, balloons with plastic sticks, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns, and stirrers are among the prohibited items.

Central Pollution Control Board has established a National Control Room to monitor the implementation of the ban, in addition to requesting that state boards conduct comprehensive awareness activities such as social media campaigns and interactive meetings with industries, colleges, schools, and other institutions.

The state boards have also been urged to increase inspections of industrial and commercial establishments in order to effectively execute the prohibition.

Environment Ministry also issued the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, on August 12, 2021, in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion demand to phase out single-use plastic goods by 2022.

In keeping with the spirit of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava’ — the 75th year of independence — the government is taking a decisive effort to reduce pollution caused by scattered and uncontrolled plastic garbage.

On the demand side, e-commerce corporations, the largest users of single-use plastics, as well as plastic raw material producers, have been directed to phase out such goods.

Capacity development workshops for industrial units are being arranged to give them with technical help for manufacturing alternatives to banned single-use plastic goods, with the cooperation of several government authorities. Provisions have also been created to assist such a large number of businesses in migrating away from the prohibited single-use plastics.

Previously, the government outlawed the manufacturing, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of plastic carry bags with a thickness of less than 75 microns beginning on September 30, 2021, and less than 120 microns beginning on December 31, 2022.