Single Use Plastics are only used once before being discarded or recycled. These products include, for instance, plastic bottles, straws, coffee stirrers, soft drink and water bottles, and the bulk of food packaging. India has banned the manufacture, import, storage, distribution, sale, and use of single use plastics (SUPs) since July 2022.
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What are Single Use Plastics?
The purpose of single use plastic is to use it once or briefly before throwing it away. Plastic waste has a huge impact on the environment and human health. Single-use plastic products are more likely to end up in the ocean than reusable products. India is taking decisive steps to reduce pollution from discarded single use plastics.
Earplugs with plastic sticks, balloon sticks, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, decorative styrofoam, plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, straws, and many items are prohibited, including cutlery such as bowls, candy boxes, invitations, cigarette packs, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns, stirrers, etc.
Single Use Plastic Ban in India
Discarded single use plastic products have a detrimental impact on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. All countries face serious environmental problems due to pollution from single-use plastic products. India launched a resolution on single-use plastic pollution at the 4th UN Environment Assembly in 2019, recognizing the urgent need for the international community to address this issue.
At the 5th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly recently concluded in March 2022, India worked constructively with all Member States to reach an agreement on a resolution to promote global action against plastic pollution.
Since India is not the first country to ban its use of single use plastics. In 2002, Bangladesh became the first country to ban thin plastic bags. China had announced a plastic bag ban which was phased in 2020. As of July 2019, 68 countries have banned plastic bags, with varying degrees of enforcement.
Plastic Waste Management Rules in India
Recently, India’s Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has notified amendments to plastic waste management regulations for 2021. The following are the plastic waste management rules in India:
- By 2022, these rules will ban single-use plastic products identified as having low utility and a high potential for littering.
- Starting July 1, 2022, the manufacture, import, storage, distribution, sale, and use of single-use plastics, including polystyrene and styrofoam, will be prohibited.
- The thickness of plastic tote bags will be increased from 50 microns to 75 microns from 30 September 2021, and from 31 December 2022 to 120 microns to prevent debris from coming out of lightweight plastic tote bags. rice field.
- Currently, the 2016 Plastic Waste Management Regulation prohibits the manufacture, import, storage, distribution, sale, and use of carrier bags and plastic sheets less than 50 microns thick in the country.
- Plastic packaging waste should be collected and managed in an environmentally responsible manner through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) of manufacturers, importers, and brand owners.
- For the effective implementation of EPRs, guidelines for issuing EPRs have been enforced by the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Regulations 2021.
- The Central Pollution Control Board, along with state environmental agencies, monitors bans, identifies violations, and imposes penalties already mandated by environmental protection laws.
- States/UTs are being asked to eliminate single-use plastics and form a dedicated task force to effectively implement the regulations. A national task force was also established to coordinate efforts.
- Additionally, on February 16, 2022, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Regulations 2022.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is the manufacturer’s commitment to the environmentally sound handling of their products until the end of their useful life.
- The guidelines provide a framework for strengthening the circular economy of plastic packaging waste, encourage the development of new alternatives to plastic packaging, and provide the next steps for companies to transition to sustainable plastic packaging.
Major Challenges of Single Use Plastics Ban
A single use plastic ban will only succeed if all stakeholders participate enthusiastically and engage in effective engagement and concerted action. But historically, nearly 25 states in India have banned plastics at the state level. However, single use plastic bans had very limited real-world impact due to the widespread use of these items.
The current challenge is to see how local governments enforce the ban according to guidelines. Prohibited plastic earplugs, vinyl balloon sticks, etc. are generic items. It is difficult to identify the manufacturer or the person in charge of sales because single use plastics remain on the market even after issuance.
Single Use Plastics: Way Forward
By avoiding single use plastics and packaging materials, you can reduce plastic pollution and raise environmental awareness. Instead, you can use jute bags, glass bottles or jars, steel or ceramic cutlery and utensils, and paper tetra packs. The private sector should invest more in producing alternative biodegradable plastics and phase out plastic production.
Further investment and development in research and technology are needed to create an economically viable and affordable alternative to plastic. The government must play a leading role in enacting strict policies and regulations that encourage a more sustainable model for plastic design and production. Municipalities of all states should adopt the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) model and implement it as a public-private partnership model for the sustainable management of urban plastic waste.
FAQs on Single Use Plastics
What are single use plastics?
Single use plastics are products that are largely created from chemicals derived from fossil fuels (petrochemicals) and are intended to be thrown away immediately after use, often in a matter of minutes. The most popular applications for single use plastics are in packaging and service items including bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags.
Why is single use plastic bad?
A striking example of the issues with throwaway culture is single use plastics. We frequently place greater value on convenience than long-term effects and high-quality products that will last. Because of our dependency on these plastics, we are producing waste at an alarming rate.
Why should we ban single use plastics?
We can stop millions of tonnes of plastic from entering the waste stream each year by banning single use plastic. A ban on plastic not only cuts pollution, but it also lessens the demand for plastics that contribute to climate change. The bans also have cultural implications in addition to these aspects.
Is single use plastic recyclable?
Depending on the material they are made of, many of the single use plastic objects we use every day can be recycled.
What is the most common single use plastic?
The most frequent single use plastics that are discovered in the environment, in order of frequency, are plastic drinking bottles, plastic bottle caps, food wrappers, plastic grocery bags, plastic lids, straws and stirrers, and other kinds of plastic bags, according to the U.N. Environment.
How tiny plastics are polluting our soil?
Chlorinated plastic has the potential to leak dangerous chemicals into the soil around it. These chemicals can then seep into nearby water sources, including groundwater, and the ecosystem. The species that consume the water may experience a variety of potentially dangerous impacts as a result.