Single-use plastic banned from 1 July

The ministry of environment, forest and climate change said in a press release that control rooms will be set up at the national and state level for effective enforcement of the ban on identified SUP items.

“The adverse impacts of littered SUP items plastic on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including in marine environment has been globally recognised. Addressing pollution due to SUP items has become an important environmental challenge confronting all countries,” the release said.

The list of banned items includes -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.  

Readers of PrintWeek already know about the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules 2021. This notification has already prohibited manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of plastic carry bags with thickness less than seventy five microns. It also provides for a ban on plastic carry bags having thickness less than one hundred and twenty microns with effect from 31 December, 2022.

The ministry announcement further stated that control rooms at the national and state levels must be established in order to monitor the unauthorised production, importation, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of items made of single-use plastic that are forbidden.

CPCB Grievance Redressal App has been launched to empower citizens to help curb plastic menace. For wider public outreach, the Prakriti - mascot was also launched on 5 April.