Lok Sabha Question No. 94 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Ban on Single-use Plastics
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Kuldeep Indora

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 94

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## Ban on Single-use Plastics

## *94:    SHRI KULDEEP INDORA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has implemented a ban on single-use plastics, prohibiting the use of plastic bags, cutlery, straws, food packaging, and similar items, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that despite this ban, such single-use plastic items continue to be widely used across the country; and
- (c) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure implementation of the ban along with steps for enhancing the availability of economically viable nonplastic substitutes?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## Statement  referred  to  in  reply  to  parts  (a)  to  (c)  of  Lok  Sabha  Starred Question No. 94 to be answered on 2 nd  December 2024 on 'Ban on single-use plastics' by Shri Kuldeep Indora.

(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, with effect from 1 July 2022. The following identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, have been prohibited, with effect from 1st July, 2022, vide Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021:

-  ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, icecream sticks, polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration;
-  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  notification  also  prohibits  manufacture,  import,  stocking,  distribution,  sale  and  use  of plastic carry bags having thickness less than one hundred and twenty microns with effect from the 31 st   December, 2022. Non-woven plastic carry bags of less than 60 gram per sqm (GSM) are also prohibited from 30 th  September 2021.  There is complete ban on sachets using plastic material used for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala. Separately, as per CPCB Annual Report, 35 States/UTs have issued notifications/orders introducing regulations pertaining to complete or partial ban on plastic carry bags and/or identified single-use plastic items, over and above the PWM Rules.

States  and  Union  Territories  have  been  asked  to  undertake  regular  enforcement  drives  to implement ban on identified single use plastic items and on plastic carry bags having thickness less than one hundred twenty microns covering fruit and vegetable markets, wholesale markets, local markets, flower vendors, units manufacturing plastic carry bags etc. Actions have been taken by concerned authorities on the deviations, which include seizure of banned single use plastic items and levy of penalty. Further, CPCB/SPCBs/PCCs also focus on items, which are sold as alternatives to banned SUP items, such as paper plates covered with plastic sheets, but which are actually banned SUP items. Pan India enforcement campaigns have been undertaken for implementation of ban on identified single use plastic items since July 2022 by CPCB, SPCBs/PCCs  and  local  authorities.  During  enforcement  campaigns,  a  total  of  60,367 inspections have been carried out, of which approximately fine of Rs. 19.77 Cr was imposed and 1963.6 Tons of plastic was seized.

Further, for effective monitoring of ban on identified single use plastic items and plastic waste management  in  the  country  the  following  online  platforms  are  in  operation  (a)  National Dashboard  for  monitoring  of  implementation  of  comprehensive  action  plan  (b)  CPCB Monitoring  Module  for  Compliance  on  Elimination  of  Single  Use  Plastic,  and  (c)  CPCB Grievance Redressal App.

Central  Government,  State  Governments  and  local  authorities  have  taken  steps  on  moving towards eco-friendly alternatives. The Department of Science and Technology and Department of Biotechnology support research and development projects for alternatives to banned singleuse  plastic  items,  as  per  scheme  guidelines.  NITI  Aayog  has  also  brought  out  a  report  on alternative products and technologies to plastics and their applications. The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has schemes to provide support to MSME units, which include support to such units which were earlier involved in manufacturing of banned single use plastic items for switching over to alternatives / other products.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organized the National Expo on Eco alternatives  to  SUPs  and  Start-up  Conference 2022  during  26 th -27 th of  September  2022  in Chennai.  The  expo  provided  a  platform  for  around  150  entities  who  are  into  research  and development, manufacture and sale of ecofriendly alternatives to plastics. The expo unveiled innovative products in the eco- friendly product spectrum covering carry bags, utility items, apparels, footwear, wellness products, sanitary pads, cutlery and many more. These products are made from varied raw materials such as banana leaf products, fiber, rice bran, rice husk, agricultural products, areca leaf, coir, clay, palm leaf, cloth, jute, etc.by manufacturers, Self Help Groups and many other start-up firms across India.

Further, to encourage innovation in development of alternatives to banned identified single use plastic items and digital solutions to plastic waste management, concerned Central Ministries including  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change,  Ministry  of  MSME  and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and CPCB, have organized Hackathons. The ban on identified single use plastic items has triggered development of innovative eco-alternatives. In keeping  with  the  development  of  eco-alternatives,  Bureau  of  Indian  Standard  has  notified Indian Standard IS 18267 for Food Serving Utensil Made from Agri By-Products.

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