The ban on select single-use plastics by the Centre in order to reduce plastic wastage comes into effect from Friday. Single-use plastics are typically items that are discarded after being used only once and does not go for the recycling process. They are a big contributor to plastic pollution. The adverse impacts and menace of littered single-use plastic items plastic on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are globally recognized.
The banned items include earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, 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.A National Control Room has been established in the Central Pollution Control Board to monitor the enforcement of the ban, besides asking the state boards to undertake comprehensive Awareness activities including social media campaign, interactive meetings with industries, colleges, schools and other institutions.
The state boards have further been directed to intensify inspections of industrial and commercial establishment for effective implementation of the ban. Haryana government has also banned single use plastic in the state from July 1, 2022. In line with the clarion call given by Prime Minister, Narender Modi, to phase out single use plastic items by 2022, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,Government of India notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, on August 12, 2021.
Giving information regarding this, an official spokesperson said that the Government has taken resolute steps for mitigation of pollution caused by littered Single Use Plastic.
He further informed that the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, also prohibit manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of plastic carry bags having thickness less than 75 microns with effect from September 30, 2021 and having thickness less than one hundred and twenty microns with effect from December 31, 2022. He said that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has also notified the Guidelines on Extended Producers Responsibility on plastic packaging as Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022 on February 16, 2022. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is responsibility of a producer for the environmentally sound management of the product until the end of its life. The Guidelines will provide framework to strengthen circular economy of plastic packaging waste, promote development of new alternatives to plastic packaging and provide next steps for moving towards sustainable plastic packaging by businesses, he added.