The Indian government bans a long list of Single-use plastics from 2022 onwards. The Ministry of Environment released a draft gazette notification which announced and went into its details. Read to know the complete plan for green initiatives planned by the Indian Government.
Which single-use plastics are a ‘NO’ from 2022?
From next year, get ready to say goodbye to the following things that are polluting the environment.
- Earbuds with plastic sticks
- Plastic flags
- Ice cream and candy sticks made of plastic
- Plastic flags
- Plastic balloon sticks
- Cups, plates, spoons, coffee stirrers, forks, straws, and other cutlery made up of plastic
- Polystrene or ‘Thermocol’ used for decoration
- Wrapping films on sweet boxes, cigarette packs, cards, etc.
- PVC and plastic banners (under 100 microns)
However, the ban is not applicable to compostable plastic. “There are already alternatives for plastic cutlery available in the market. And the government will ensure that companies producing these alternatives are promoted,’’ said an official. The Central Pollution Control Board and the State bards will also impose penalties as per the Environment Protection Act.
Three stage ban on plastics
The ban on polythene bags under 50 microns is effective in the country for a while now. However, all single-use carry bags will add on to the list. Also, plastic bags under 75 microns are banned from September 30, 2021. However, bags less than 120 microns will join the list from the start of the new year.
“The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of… single-use plastic, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene commodities shall be prohibited with effect from the 1st July 2022,” reads the latest notification on Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021. “The reasoning behind the rules that we have come out with is that we have eliminated the plastic for which the cost of collection was huge as well as having a high environmental cost on one hand, but the economic cost is little,” added a ministry official.
Moreover, at a time of massive destruction, this is a step in the right direction. The amendments consider the costs associated with moving to a sustainable alternative and future.