India to mandate barcodes on plastic packaging from July 2025

INDIA – Starting 1 July 2025, India’s Environment Ministry will require all plastic bags and multilayered packaging to feature a barcode or QR code.

This initiative aims to enhance compliance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, by providing critical information such as the product’s thickness and manufacturer details.

The Plastic Waste Management Rules mandate that waste generators reduce plastic use, prevent littering, ensure segregated storage at the source, and properly dispose of segregated waste.

This framework underpins India’s efforts to manage its growing plastic waste problem responsibly.

In a related move, the 2021 amendment to these rules banned specific single-use plastics starting 1 July 2022 due to their low utility and high environmental impact.

Additionally, from 31 December 2022, the production, import, and sale of plastic bags thinner than 120 microns were prohibited.

Tough penalties for noncompliance

The upcoming barcode requirement includes stringent penalties for violations. Under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, offenders face imprisonment of up to five years, fines of up to Rs100,000 ($1,156), or both.

This reflects the government’s determination to enforce compliance and curb plastic pollution. 

Earlier this month, the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras launched a zero-waste bioplastics initiative supported by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

The program aims to develop sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable alternatives to conventional plastics.

Addressing the plastic pollution crisis

India’s growing plastic waste problem has drawn global attention. The country generates approximately 14 million tons of plastic annually but lacks a well-organized waste management system, leading to widespread littering.

The government banned single-use plastics in 2022, including straws, cutlery, earbuds, packaging films, and cigarette packets to combat this.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government faced significant lobbying from companies such as PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Parle Agro, Dabur, and Amul, who sought exemptions for straws.

While plastic bags were temporarily exempted, manufacturers were directed to increase their thickness to encourage reuse.

Despite the bans, experts warn that enforcement remains a challenge. The government has established control rooms to monitor and prevent the illegal use, sale, and distribution of banned items.

Plastic pollution remains a pressing global issue. The United Nations estimates that 100 million tons of plastic waste pollute the world’s oceans.

Microplastics have been found in the intestines of deep-sea mammals like whales, underscoring the urgent need for action.

India’s latest measures signal its commitment to tackling this crisis through innovative policies and enforcement mechanisms, contributing to the global fight against plastic waste.

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