Govt notifies amended rules for identified single use plastic items

The transfer comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged individuals to cease using single-use plastic luggage in his Independence Day speech in 2019.

In response to a authorities assertion, the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of some single-use merchandise together with polystyrene and expanded polystyrene can be prohibited from 1 July, 2022. In response to the assertion, these will embrace earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, sweet sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (generally often known as thermocol) for adornment, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery similar to forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing movies used for candy bins, invitation playing cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners lower than 100 micron and stirrers. In response to the assertion, these are seen having low utility however excessive littering potential, impacting each terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

“The State and union territory governments and anxious Central Ministries and Departments have additionally been requested to develop a complete motion plan for elimination of single use plastics and efficient implementation of Plastic Waste Administration Guidelines, 2016, and its implementation in a time sure method,” the assertion stated.

“Instructions underneath Part 5 of Surroundings (Safety) Act, 1986, have been issued to all States/Union Territories inter alia for organising for institutional mechanism for strengthening enforcement of Plastic Waste Administration (PWM) Guidelines, 2016,” it stated.

From 30 September 2021, the thickness of plastic carry luggage can be elevated from 50 microns to 75 microns and 120 microns, the assertion stated including that this can even permit the reuse of plastic carry luggage.

“The plastic packaging waste, which isn’t lined underneath the phase-out of recognized single-use plastic objects, shall be collected and managed in an environmentally sustainable method by producers, importers, and model homeowners as per the Plastic Waste Administration Guidelines, 2016,” the assertion stated.

“For efficient implementation of Prolonged Producer Duty, the rules for it are being introduced out and have been given authorized power via Plastic Waste Administration Modification Guidelines, 2021,” the assertion stated.