The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified on June 28 that the government will ban single-use plastic items across the country from July 1.
“India will ban the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of single-use plastic items identified throughout the country with effect from July 1, 2022, which have low utility and high potential.” it said in a statement,
Single use plastics are items that are used only once and are discarded.
The adverse effects of single-use plastic items on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including the marine environment, are recognized globally. It said that tackling pollution caused by single-use plastic items has become a significant environmental challenge facing all countries.
Here is the list of banned items:
ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, polystyrene for decoration (thermocol), plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic glasses, plastic Cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC trays around banners, wrapping or packing film less than 100 microns, stirrer.
The ministry’s notification also states that the National and State level to check illegal manufacture, import, storage, distribution, sale and use of banned single-use plastic items to effectively implement the ban on identified SUP items. Control rooms will be set up at
The Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 have already prohibited the manufacture, import, storage, distribution, sale and use of plastic carry bags of thickness less than seventy five microns. Plastic carry bags with thickness less than one hundred and twenty microns will be banned with effect from December 31, 2022.
Read also: Single use plastic ban: Delhi government takes steps to identify bottlenecks
Earlier on Monday, the Thermoformers and Allied Industries Association (TAIA) urged the government not to impose a complete ban on single-use plastics from July 1 and instead do it in a phased manner.
Plastic plates, cups, glasses and trays are made from single-use plastics and banning these products will stop manufacturing and 10,000 crore size industry in which 2 lakh people get direct employment and 4.5 lakh people indirectly.
Beverage Manufacturers and Industry Association The petition was filed with the government to allow a gradual phase out of plastic straws for small packs of juices, fizzy drinks and milk-based drinks.
Companies said imposing restrictions from July 1 would create several challenges such as supply constraints and arranging for alternative items, such as imported paper straws, as well as increasing costs.
Action Alliance for Recycling Beverage Cartons (AARC), representing Coca-Cola India, PepsiCo India, Parle Agro, Dabur, Diageo and Radico Khaitan, said the change could hurt many people. 3,000 crore in sales for the industry.