India marks one year since banning single-use plastic in the country

INDIA – India has marked one year since the government imposed a ban on the import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of identified single-use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential.

To beat plastic pollution, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change adopted a two-pronged strategy to tackle unmanaged and littered plastic waste by placing a ban on single-use plastic items and effective implementation through extended producer responsibility on plastic packaging.

As is the trademark of governance under PM Modi, the strategy is being implemented using a whole-of-government approach, with steps being taken by concerned central ministries and state and local governments.

The single-use plastics ban is ambitious, covering 19 items, including disposable plastic thermocol cutlery and straws.

In addition, lightweight carry bags have been prohibited and the thickness of plastic carry bags was increased to 120 microns with effect from December 31, 2022.

This helps in making the bags reusable and increases collection efficiency. Many developed countries are still to implement a ban on single-use plastics in such a comprehensive manner.

The banned single-use plastic items were identified by an expert committee constituted by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals based upon the criteria of low utility and high littering potential, coupled with the availability of alternatives.

To give time to the industry to transition to alternatives, the ministry notified the ban on August 12, 2021, nearly one year before it came into effect.

The last year of implementation of the single-use plastics ban showcased the involvement of all stakeholders, including citizens, young people, students, start-ups, innovators, industry and government; it generated many replicable and scalable success stories.

The ban triggered the development of innovative eco-alternatives, new business models, and increased manufacturing capacity and uptake of eco-alternatives at scale.

The introduction and use of alternatives to banned items led to the creation of new employment opportunities in sustainable green ventures.

State governments and local authorities launched innovative programs on moving towards eco-friendly alternatives.

Behavioral change and availability of eco-alternatives are key to the success of the ban, as is moving away from a use-and-throw culture.

Reduction in the use of single-plastic items is one of the main focus areas under PM Modi’s Mission LiFE – Lifestyle for Environment – mantra.

In keeping with the development of eco-alternatives, the Bureau of Indian Standards has notified Indian Standard IS 18267 for utensils made from agri byproducts.

These facts show that in the last year, India has moved significantly in the uptake of eco-alternative cutlery, which meets the country’s standard specifications.

To encourage the transition, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is supporting enterprises under various schemes related to technology upgradation, creating awareness, marketing support, infrastructural support and adopting alternatives to identified single-use plastic, as per scheme guidelines.

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