Ban on single-use plastic from July 1

New Delhi, June 28

India will ban manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of identified single-use plastic items with low utility and high littering potential all across the country from July 1.

Control rooms planned to curb use

National and state-level control rooms to be set up for checking illegal manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of banned plastic items

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Earbuds, cutlery among items to be banned

The banned items include earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, ice- cream sticks, polystyrene for decoration, plastic plates, cups, glasses, cutlery etc

The states and UTs have been asked to set up border checkpoints to stop inter-state movement of any banned single-use plastic items. For effective enforcement of the ban, national and state-level control rooms will be set up and special enforcement teams will be formed for checking illegal manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of the banned plastic items, said Environment Ministry officials.

Capacity-building workshops are being organised for MSME units to provide them technical assistance for manufacturing of alternatives to plastic items, they added

Provisions have also been made to support such enterprises in transitioning away from single-use plastics. “India has taken steps to promote innovation and provide an ecosystem for accelerated penetration. The success of the ban will only be possible through effective engagement and concerted actions by all stakeholders and enthusiastic public participation,” an official said.

The list of banned items include — ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice- cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration, plastic plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.

The adverse impacts of littered SUP and plastic items both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including in marine environments are globally recognised. India’s Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, also prohibit manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of plastic carry bags having thickness less than 75 microns with effect from September 30, 2021, and having thickness less than thickness of 120 microns with effect from December 31, 2022.