Introduction
In response to the appeal issued by Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, to phase out single-use plastic items by 2022, the Government of India notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, on August 12, 2021.
In keeping with the spirit of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava,' the country is taking a decisive step to reduce pollution, caused by littered and uncontrolled plastic waste. From July 1, 2022, India prohibited the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of designated single-use plastic items, with poor utility and high littering potential throughout the country.
What are the Guidelines for Single Use Plastics in India?
Single use plastic is a type of throwaway plastic found in items such as water bottles, straws, and cups, which can only be used once before being discarded. Because, of their low cost, businesses choose to produce single-use plastics.
2022 guidelines for single-use plastics in India
1. The ban includes earbuds and balloons with plastic sticks, plastic flags, sweets and ice cream sticks, polystyrene used for decoration, plastic cutlery and tableware, straws, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns, and stirrers, according to the Ministry.
2. The Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, which went into effect on September 30th, 2021, purportedly already restrict the manufacturing, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of plastic carrier bags, with a thickness of less than 75 microns. India will also prohibit carrier bags with a thickness of less than 120 microns beginning December 31, 2022.
3. Furthermore, the Ministry claims to have advised the Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), of how the new Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules will affect it.The Guidelines on EPR, according to the Ministry, will establish a framework for creating a circular economy for plastic waste, promoting the development of novel alternatives to plastic packaging, and providing next steps for firms seeking to implement sustainable packaging solutions.
4. The Indian government claims it would also take steps to stimulate innovation, and create an ecosystem for the rapid integration and availability of alternatives, to banned single-use plastics throughout the country. It goes on to say that it has already taken steps to raise awareness, about the dangers of single-use plastics through campaigns involving entrepreneurs, start-ups, regulatory bodies, research and development and academic institutions, industry experts, citizens' organizations, and Central, State, and Local Governments.
5. The Indian government also states that national and state-level control rooms will be established, together with special enforcement teams, to monitor the illegal manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of banned single-use plastic items.States and union territories have reportedly been requested to establish border checkpoints across India, to prevent the inter-state trafficking of single-use plastic products.
Conclusion
The Indian government has made significant efforts to prevent pollution, caused by scattered single-purpose plastics. The absence of a well-established infrastructure for effective segregation, collection, and recycling poses the greatest hurdle, to the elimination of single-use plastic in India.
Furthermore, due to environmental concerns voiced by several State Pollution Control Boards, India still lacks a proper waste recycling program (SPCBs).
How can we help?
Netsol Water promotes the ban of single-use plastics, and provides numerous advanced solutions to avoid and recycle plastics,to handle India's plastic problem.
To effectively control pollution of water, air and land, and to manage solid waste sustainably, we offer various treatment solutions like wastewater treatment plants, water treatment plants, solid waste recyclers, and much more.
Netsol Water is Greater Noida-based leading water & wastewater treatment plant manufacturer. We are industry's most demanding company based on client review and work quality. We are known as best commercial RO plant manufacturers, industrial RO plant manufacturer, sewage treatment plant manufacturer, Water Softener Plant Manufacturers and effluent treatment plant manufacturers. Apart from this 24x7 customer support is our USP. Call on +91-9650608473, or write us at enquiry@netsolwater.com for any support, inquiry or product-purchase related query.