Effecting the ban on single-use plastics

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Last Updated03/09/2022

The Ministry of Environment recently notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021.

India banned the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of single-use plastic (SUP) items since july 1 this year.
India is a party to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).
124 parties to the UNEA, and India signed a resolution to draw up an agreement to address the full life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal.

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Banned a number of items, including earbuds with plastic sticks, balloon sticks, plastic flags, or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers, etc.
Piloted a resolution on single-use plastics pollution at the 4th UNEA in 2019.
Recognised an urgent need for the global community to address it.
Engaged with all member states to develop a consensus on a resolution to drive global action against plastic pollution in the 5th session of UNEA (2022).

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Implemented from September 30, 2021
Prohibited manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of plastic carry bags whose thickness is less than 75 microns.
December 31, 2022 - plastic carry bags having thickness < 120 microns to be banned.
Ban does not cover all plastic bags
It requires the manufacturers to produce plastic bags thicker than 75 microns.
The standard shall be increased to 120 microns in December.
Plastic or PET bottles (most recyclable types of plastic) left out of the scope of the ban.

Promoting innovation and creating an ecosystem for accelerated adoption and availability of alternatives across the country.
National and State-level control rooms to ensure the effective enforcement of the ban
Special enforcement teams to check upon the illegal sale and use of single-use plastics.
Border checkpoints to prevent the movement of banned single-use plastic items between States and Union Territories.
A grievance redressal application by CPCB to empower citizens to help curb the plastic menace.
Awareness campaign towards the elimination of single-use plastics.

Conditional success
Will succeed only if all stakeholders participate in effective engagement and concerted actions.
Failed regulations
Almost 25 States have banned plastic at the state level.
Failed as there is a widespread use of these items.
Level of enforcement by local level authorities
Difficult for Local level authorities to reach out to the accountable manufacturers.

Consumers need to be informed about the ban through advertisements, newspaper or TV commercials, or on social media.
Companies need to invest in research and development to find a sustainable solution.
Responsibility needs to be shared among government, industries, brands, manufacturers and most importantly consumers.
Greener alternatives to plastic may be considered a sustainable option.
Eg, compostable and biodegradable plastic, etc.