The government, on Thursday, notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, under which identified single-use plastic items have been banned from July 1, 2022.
According to the notification released on August 12, the thickness of plastic carry bags would be increased from 50 microns to 75 microns from September 30, 2021, and from December 31, 2022, it would be increased to 120 microns. This increase in microns would help in the reuse of carry bags.
The notification further read that the non-woven plastic carry bags should not be less than 60 grams per square metre (GSM) with effect from September 30, 2021.
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As per the notified statement, “The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of following single-use plastic, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, commodities shall be prohibited with effect from July 1, 2022: 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 micron, stirrers.”
The notification further confirmed that the provisions would not apply to commodities made of compostable plastic.
What is PM Modi’s plan since 2018?
In June 2018, PM Narendra Modi announced that India would be single-use plastic-free in the year 2022. After recognizing the urgent need of focusing on the issue of single-use plastic, in 2019, during the United Nations Environment Assembly, India piloted a resolution on addressing single-use plastic products pollution.
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The Environment Ministry said that, as per Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, the single-use plastic waste should be collected and managed in an environmentally sustainable way through the Extended Producer Responsibility of the producer, importer and brand owner (PIBO).
What is Extended Producer Responsibility?
Extended Producer Responsibility is a policy that states that the disposal and management of the plastic is the responsibility of the producer once they are not consumed by the customer. Earlier, the central government urged the states and union territories to form a special task force under the chief secretary or the administrator for active implementation of the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016.
According to the reply by Minister of Environment Ashwini Choubey, till 23 July, 14 states have formed a special task force. Environment Minister further said that a national task force has also been formed to keep a check at the national level.