Is the latest plastic ban working? data not available

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has set up a portal on which its state wing is required to file fortnightly compliance reports, and has said it will make public the compiled data on inspections and action taken. However, no such data is yet available (an app set up for this purpose only provides the status of complaints made by citizens). Most of the state boards whose websites were scanned by Mint also did not have any such report. Emails and calls to CPCB officials have gone unanswered since last week.

Experts say a lack of consistent timely data can hinder effective surveillance, as has been done in previous sanctions efforts. Environmentalists said the monthly or quarterly data would help India deal with this crisis and create accountability. Only a few cities, such as Gurugram, Bengaluru and Pune, have released data on violations and penalties.

Sunil Pandey, director of the Department of Environment and Waste Management at The Energy, said, “Providing data on compliance/violations will increase public confidence and they will also be reassured that it is not one of the previous restrictions without monitoring compliance.” and Resource Institute (TERI).

corporate constraints

The ban on plastics, as in the latest, appears to be a pushback from India Inc in particular, the consumer goods sector, which fears a shift to eco-friendly alternatives could make its products costly and Can hurt sales, especially for low priced packs. Rely on single use plastic packaging. The previous plan to impose nationwide restrictions in 2019 reportedly had to be delayed due to the economic slowdown and rising unemployment. A report by Kotak Securities suggests that replacing plastics with eco-friendly alternatives can increase packaging costs and affect profitability.

Experts suggest policy makers from KeralaGreen Protocol’, which has laid down standard operating procedures (SOPs) to help corporations comply with these restrictions, with a focus on reducing waste by using reusable alternatives. “Companies will need even more local strategies and SOPs to comply with,” said Saurabh Manuja, an independent waste management expert.

half ban

According to CPCB, India generated 3.47 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2019-20. The problem ultimately boils down to states making concerted efforts to reduce this form of pollution. The CPCB data shows that Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat generated the most plastic waste, and on a per capita basis, Delhi, Telangana and Gujarat performed the worst. This is despite the fact that most states have tried to ban plastic in some form or the other since the turn of the millennium. According to the CPCB report, 25 states and union territories had announced a complete ban on plastic carry bags by 2019-20 and five had banned bags with a thickness of less than 50 microns. However, half-hearted nationwide restrictions came into play only because state-level restrictions have had limited success so far. Lobbying by industry, lack of manufacturing capabilities to switch to alternatives, and poor public awareness have undermined efforts to send plastics to history.

out way

Several studies have tried to find out what is hindering the elimination of single-use plastics. According to a 2020 study led by KEK Vimal, insufficient manufacturing facilities and poor financial support for biodegradable alternatives, and low awareness of environmentally friendly single-use products and technologies for alternatives, are due to high costs. National Institute of Technology, Patna. Excessive dependence of consumers on plastic items is also one of the reasons. Analysts say any policy solution should be targeted at both consumers and manufacturers.

There is a need to aggressively push for waste reduction and reuse strategies among consumers. “Cities will have to more vigorously promote the 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle), engage citizens more effectively through deposit withdrawal schemes, collection and recycling centres,” Manuja said. For manufacturers, the government needs to provide financial support for research and development and engage more with entrepreneurs who can bring alternative and sustainable products to market.

Mint contacted the companies listed in the second chart for feedback. Most did not respond or declined to comment. Below are the responses we received:

Diageo India (which runs United Spirits) said the combined use of PET and Tetra Pack accounts for 4% of its operations, and it is a “net-zero plastic waste company” as of June. “We have ambitious goals of increasing the recycled content of plastic packaging to 60% by 2030 and achieving 100% recycled content in plastics,” it said. Hindustan Unilever, Unilever’s Indian subsidiary, said it is committed to making plastic packaging 100% recyclable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, and that it collects and processes more plastic packaging than it sells. does. The company claimed that it has achieved plastic neutrality by 2021. ITC said it has exceeded its commitment on plastic neutrality this year, and aims to go beyond the requirements of the latest regulations.

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