Lok Sabha Question No. 5 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-11-29
Subject: Ban on single use plastics
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Supriya Sadanand Sule, DNV Senthilkumar. S.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.11.2021

## Ban on single use plastics

## 5.  SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR. S.:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  proposes  to  impose  a  ban  on  single  use  polythene bags and disposable items made of substandard plastic and polystyrene in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is conducting any public awareness campaign in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has formulated any norms/guidelines for the ban on single use plastics and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether it is a fact that 40 per cent of total plastic waste remains uncollected in India and if so the details thereof and reasons therefor;
- (e) whether various States have adopted separate norms for imposing ban on polythene bags in their States and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (f) if so, whether the Government is considering any uniform norms for all States in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) the measures taken by the Government for management and safe disposal of plastic waste including plastic packaging in the country specially in Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) to (c): The Ministry has notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, vide GSR NO. 571 (E) on 12th August 2021, in the Gazette of India, prohibiting identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, by 2022.

As  per  the  notification,  the  manufacture,  import,  stocking,  distribution,  sale  and  use  of following single-use plastic,  including  polystyrene and  expanded polystyrene, commodities shall be prohibited with effect from the 1st July, 2022:-

- (a) ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, icecream sticks, polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration;
- (b) plates,  cups,  glasses,  cutlery  such  as  forks,  spoons,  knives,  straw,  trays,  wrapping  or packing  films  around  sweet  boxes,  invitation  cards,    and  cigarette  packets,  plastic  or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.

The  thickness  of  plastic  carry  bags  has  been  increased  from  fifty  microns  to  seventy  five microns with effect from 30th September, 2021, and to one hundred and twenty microns with effect from the 31st December, 2022.

The Government has been taking measures for awareness generation towards elimination of single use plastics and effective implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. The Ministry has organized 'Awareness Campaign on Single Use Plastic - 2021'. Further, the  Ministry  has  also  organized  pan  India  essay  writing  competition  on  the  theme  for spreading  awareness  amongst  school  students  in  the  country.  To  encourage  innovation  in development  of  alternatives  to  identified  single  use  plastic  items  and  digital  solutions  to plastic waste management, the India Plastic Challenge - Hackathon2021, has been organized for students of Higher Educational Institutions and start-ups recognized under Startup India Initiative.

(d): Based upon a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) study it is estimated that 60% of the total plastic waste generated in the country, is collected and recycled.

(e)  to  (g):  The  restriction  on  thickness  of  plastic  carry  bags  is  given  Plastic  Waste Management  Amendment  Rules,  2021.  Over  and  above  the  Plastic  Waste  Management Rules, 2016, as amended, thirty Four states/UTs have issued notifications/orders, as per their enactments,  to  introduce  regulations  pertaining  to  complete  or  partial  ban  on  plastic  carry bags and/or identified single-use plastic items. The details are annexed.

The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended provide the statutory framework for environmentally sound management of plastic waste in the country. The following steps have been taken to strengthen implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and also to reduce the use of identified single use plastic items:

(i) The States/UTs have been requested to constitute a Special Task Force under Chairpersonship of Chief Secretary/Administrator for elimination of single use plastics and effective implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. Andaman and Nicobar Islands  Administration  has  constituted  the  Special  Task  Force  under  Chairpersonship  of Chief Secretary. A National Level Taskforce has also been constituted by the Ministry for taking  coordinated  efforts  to  eliminate  identified  single  use  plastic  items  and  effective implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.

(ii)  The  State  /UT  Governments  and  concerned  Central  Ministries/Departments  have  also been requested for the development of a comprehensive action plan for elimination of single use plastics and effective implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, and its implementation in a time bound manner.

(iii) Directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, have been issued to  all  States/Union  Territoriesinter  alia  for  setting  up  for  institutional  mechanism  for strengthening enforcement of Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016. (iv) The  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  has  notified  the  draft Regulations  on  the  Extended  Producer  Responsibility  for  plastic  packaging  under  Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended from time to time, in the Gazette of India vide GSR No. 722 (E) on 6th October, 2021for public consultation. (v)  Additional  Central  Assistance  is  also  provided  to  States  and  Union  territories  for  solid waste  management  including  plastic  waste  management,  under  Swachh  Bharat  Mission

Urban and Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen.

***

## Annexure

## Notification for banning manufacture, use, sale import and handling of single use plastic products

(Based on the data available in submitted Annual reports by SPCBs/PCCs)

|   S. No | Name of State/UT               | Complete or Partial Ban   | Date of Gazette or Executive Order   | Remarks                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|---------|--------------------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Andaman & Nicobar Islands      | Complete ban              | 02.08.2010 (Gazette)                 | Complete ban on manufacture, store, import, distribution, transportation, recycle, sell & use of plastic carry bags.                                                                                                                         |
|       2 | Andhra Pradesh                 | Not Banned                | Not Available                        | Not Banned                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|       3 | Arunachal Pradesh              | Complete ban              | 03.07.2012 (Executive Order)         | Complete ban on manufacture, store, import, transportation, sell& use of polythene/plastic carry bags                                                                                                                                        |
|       4 | Assam                          | Complete Ban              | 30.04.2019 (Gazette)                 | Plastic carry bags, banners, buntings, cups, cling films, flex, flags, plates, sheets (used for spreading on dining tables irrespective of thickness) including the above items made of thermocol and plastic which use plastic micro beads. |
|       5 | Bihar                          | Complete ban              | 11.12.2018 (Gazette)                 | Complete ban on manufacture, store, import, transportation, sell& use of plastic carry bags                                                                                                                                                  |
|       6 | Chandigarh                     | Complete ban              | 30.07.2008 (Gazette)                 | Complete ban on manufacture, storage, import, sale, use transportation & disposal of plastic carry bags                                                                                                                                      |
|       7 | Chhattisgarh                   | Complete ban              | 24.12.2014 (Gazette)                 | Complete ban on manufacture, store, import, transportation, recycle, sell & use of polythene/plastic carry bags.                                                                                                                             |
|       8 | Daman Diu & Dadra Nagar Haveli | Complete ban              | 24-01-2014 & 22.09.2017 (Gazette)    | Forbidding the use, sale/ storage of all kinds of plastic bags                                                                                                                                                                               |
|       9 | Delhi                          | Complete ban              | 23.10.2012 (Gazette)                 | Complete ban on manufacture, import,store, sell & use of plastic products (poly Propylene, non-woven fabric type carry bags), plastic film or plastic tube to pack or cover any book including magazine & invitation/greeting cards.         |
|      10 | Goa                            | Partial ban               | 16.03.2015                           | Government imposed ban on Manufacture, stock, import, transportation, recycle, sale & use of plastic (carry bags, cups, forks, paper plates, spoons) in ChorlaGhat area Mandi Wildlifesanctuaries .                                          |
|      11 | Gujarat                        | Partial ban               | 28.06.2011 (Gazette)                 | Complete ban on plastic products in Gandhi Nagar                                                                                                                                                                                             |

|   12 | Haryana          | Complete ban                 | 20.08.2013 (Gazette)                                                                                                                   | Complete ban on manufacture, stock, import, transportation, recycle, sell & use of plastic (carry bags, cups, forks, paper plates, straws, spoons& containers for the usage of foodstuffs)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|------|------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   13 | Himachal Pradesh | Complete Ban                 | 07-07-2009 & 13-08-2009 (Gazette)                                                                                                      | Complete ban on use of Carry bags (irrespective of size), polythene, non- biodegradable material, disposable plastic cups, plates, and glasses                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|   14 | Jammu & Kashmir  | Complete Ban                 | 03.01.2017 (SRO 45 order- Notification) Jammu District Magistrate has on 01.10.2020 ordered strict enforcement of SRO 45 notification. | Complete ban on manufacture, stocking, distribution, sale and use of polyethylene carry bags, plastic sheets or like, cover made of plastic sheet, plastic packaging and multilayered packaging less than fifty microns in thickness within territorial limits of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|   15 | Jharkhand        | Complete Ban                 | 17.10.2017 (Gazette)                                                                                                                   | Complete ban on manufacture, import, storage, transport, sell and usage of plastic carry bags in the whole State                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|   16 | Karnataka        | Complete ban                 | 11.03.2016 (Gazette)                                                                                                                   | State government banned the plasticbanners, buntings, carry bags (plastic & compostable), cups, cling films, flex, flags, plates, spoons & sheets made of plastic or Thermocol and microbeadsusage in the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|   17 | Kerala           | 01.01.2020 (Executive Order) | 22.11.2010 (Executive Order)                                                                                                           | entire state Complete ban on the manufacture, storage, transport and sale of plastic carry bags( irrespective of thickness); plastic sheets( used as table spread); plates, cups and decorative materials made of thermocol/stryrofoam; SUP items like cups, plates, dishes, spoons, forks, straw, stirrer; plastic coated paper cups, plastic coated paper plates, plastic coated paper bowls, plastic coated paper bags; Non woven bags, plastic flags, plastic bunting; plstic water pouches, non branded plastic juice packets ; plastic juice packets; PET/PETE bottles of drinking water of capacities less than 500 ml; garbage bags (plastic); PVC flex materials and plastic packets. |
|   18 | Ladakh           | Partial Ban                  | (Order no-40- LA (GAD) of 2020 dated 23.06.2020)                                                                                       | Ban on the use of plastic water bottles and other plastic made objects in Government offices and other institutions                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|   19 | Lakshadweep      | Complete                     | 25.01.2019                                                                                                                             | Complete ban on use, store & sale of plastic                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |

|    |                | ban          | (Gazette)                                                 | carry bags of all thickness, plastic coated carry bags, plastic flags, plastic sheets/films used for wrapping, plastic sheets used as dining table covers, thermocol cups and plates, plastic coated paper cups and plates, plastic teacups, plastic tumblers, plastic teacups, water pouches/packets/PET plastic water bottles, straws,                                |
|----|----------------|--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 20 | Madhya Pradesh | Complete ban | 24-05-2017 (Gazette)                                      | Production, Storage, Transportation, sale & use of plastic carrybags.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 21 | Maharashtra    | Complete Ban | 23-03-2018 (Gazette) Amendment 11th April, 2018           | Complete ban in the whole State for manufacture, usage, sale storage,transport, and distribution, wholesale & retail, import of the plastic& compostable bags and the disposable products manufactured from plastic &thermocol (polystyrene) - disposable dish/spoon, cups, bowl, container, fork, plates, glasses, straw, non- woven polypropylene bags, cups/pouches. |
| 22 | Manipur        | Complete Ban | 12.9.2017 Notification no. 56/38/99 for&Envt              | Complete ban on use, store & sale of plastic carry bags                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| 23 | Meghalaya      | Partial Ban  | 16.2.2017 Notification No. MPCB/TB- 144B/2016- 2017/79    | Use and sale of plastic bags less than 50 microns has been prohibited and public notice has been issued                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| 24 | Mizoram        | Partial Ban  | With effect from 1.8.2019 By Aizwal Municipal Corporation | Complete ban on plastic carry bags below 50 microns                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| 25 | Nagaland       | Complete ban | 01.01.2004 (Gazette)                                      | Complete ban on use, store & sale of plastic carry bags                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| 26 | Odisha         | Partial ban  | 29.09.2018 (Executive Order)                              | Ban on use and sale of plastic carry bags, bottled drinking water Polyethylene Terephthalate bottles of less than 200 ml capacity; SUP disposable cutleries like thermocol (polystyrene), dish/spoon, cups, bowl, container, fork, glasses & plates in Bhubaneshwar, Berhampur, Cuttack, Puri, Rourkela &Sambalpur                                                      |
| 27 | Puducherry     | Complete ban | 30.07.2019                                                | (i) Polythene/Plastic/Polypropylene carry bags; (ii) Polythene/Plastic/Styrofoam (Thermocol) cups; (iii) Polythene/Plastic/Styrofoam (Thermocol) plates; (iv) Plastic sheet pouches used for                                                                                                                                                                            |

|    |               |              |                              | cooked food wrapping; (v) Plastic sheets used for spreading on dining table; (vi) Water pouches; (vii) Plastic straw; (viii) Plastic flag.                                                                                   |
|----|---------------|--------------|------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 28 | Punjab        | Complete ban | 18.02.2016 (Gazette)         | Complete ban on Manufacture, stock, distribute, recycle, sale & use of plastic carry bags.                                                                                                                                   |
| 29 | Rajasthan     | Complete ban | 01.08.2010 (Gazette)         | Complete ban on use, store & sale of plastic carry bags                                                                                                                                                                      |
| 30 | Sikkim        | Complete ban | 19.05.2016 (Gazette)         | Complete ban on sale & use, storage of disposable items (cups, plates, spoons, containers, etc..) made from Styrofoam.                                                                                                       |
| 31 | Tamil Nadu    | Complete Ban | 01.01.2019 (Gazette)         | Complete ban on manufacture, sell, use, storage, Transportation and distribution of 'Single-use plastics' i.e. plastic carrybags, flags, sheets using for food wrapping, straws, tea cups, tumblers, water packets & pouches |
| 32 | Telangana     | Not Banned   | Not Available                | Not Banned                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 33 | Tripura       | Complete ban | 10.03.2015 (Gazette)         | Complete ban on Sell, use, storage, Transportation & import of plastic carrybags (including polypropylene, non-woven fabric type) plastic tube to pack or cover any book including magazine & invitation/greeting            |
| 34 | Uttar Pradesh | Complete ban | 22.12.2015 (Gazette)         | cards. Sell, use, Storage, Transportation & import of plastic carrybags (including polypropylene, non-woven fabric type) plastic tube to pack or cover any book including magazine & invitation/greeting cards.              |
| 35 | Uttarakhand   | Complete Ban | 01.01.2017 (Gazette)         | Sell, use, storage& Transportation, of plastic carry bags.                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 36 | West Bengal   | Partial ban  | 11.01.2018 (Executive Order) | Completely banned in religious and historical places.                                                                                                                                                                        |

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