India delivers on commitment to ban identified single-use plastics

New Delhi, June 30 th (India Science Wire): In today’s time, one of the foremost challenges faced
by humanity is plastic pollution, which, if not dealt with, can jeopardize the actions toward a
sustainable future. The major brunt of plastic pollution is borne by the environment thereby,
threatening the sustenance of natural ecosystems, both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and,
affecting human health. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Annual
Report (2019-20) on Implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, in India, the per
capita plastic waste generation has almost doubled over the last five years.

The Government of India notified the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, in place of the
Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011. The new addition of Plastic Waste
Management Rules focussed on reinforcing and restoring the Waste Management Rules and also
played a crucial role in fulfilling the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of the Swachh
Bharat Mission.

Considering the urgent need to curb the menace of plastic use, Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
made an impassioned call in his address to the nation on 15th August 2019 to eliminate the use
of single-use plastic.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India notified the
Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules 2021 on 12th August 2021. In accordance with
the amendment, India will ban the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of
identified single-use plastic items across the country from 1st July 2022.

Single-use plastic comprises plastic items used once and discarded. It includes- shampoo,
detergents and oil sachets, bottles, plastic cutleries, dustbin bags, and food packs, to name a few.
The single-use plastic items that face Government’s ban include earbuds with plastic sticks,
plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice- cream sticks, polystyrene (Thermocol)
for decoration, plastic plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays,

wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, and plastic or
PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.

Previously, a ban on polythene bags under 75 microns was already imposed in September 2021
by the Ministry. The Government has decided to expand the limit to 120 microns. Therefore, a
ban on polythene bags under 120 microns will be imposed starting 31st December 2022.

Some other crucial steps undertaken by the Government in mitigating single-use plastic items
include guidelines on Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) on plastic packaging. The
guidelines aim to promote and establish sustainable plastic packaging by reinforcing the circular
economy of plastic packaging waste and encouraging and enabling innovative and novel ideas,
technologies, and alternatives to plastic packaging.

For effective implementation and regulation of the enforcement of the single-use plastic
ban from 1st July 2022, the Government of India will establish national and state-level control
rooms and special enforcement teams to check the illegal manufacture, import, stocking,
distribution, and sale and use of banned single-use plastic items. Stringent steps will be taken,
especially at the borders and inter-state checkpoints, to oversee any transportation of prohibited
single-use plastic items.

Various capacity-building workshops will be organized primarily for the micro, small and
medium enterprises for technical assistance and training in manufacturing new alternatives to
banned single-use plastic.

Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and Labour &
Employment, Bhupendra Yadav, also launched a Central Pollution Control Board Grievance
Redressal App for inculcating a sense of belongingness and eliciting participation from the
citizens in alleviating the use of single-use plastic. Engaging steps such as introducing the
awareness mascot- PRAKRITI, were also launched on 5th April 2022 for increased awareness,
outreach, and information dissemination among the masses.

Along with above mentioned rigorous steps, the Government of India is actively promoting and
encouraging the development of innovative technologies, ideas, and alternatives to plastic with
enhanced quality, affordability, feasibility, and availability across the nation.

Along with concrete global actions towards eliminating single-use plastic, it is imperative to
ensure multi-stakeholder participation (national, state, regional, and local levels), inter-
departmental and cross-sectoral coordination, cooperation among governments (central, state,
local), regulatory bodies, national and international partners/ industries/ private and public
organizations/ academic and research and development institutions for the betterment of the
planet earth and securing a sustainable future for living beings. (India Science Wire)

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