Lok Sabha Question No. 230 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-04
Subject: Ban on Single Use Plastics
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: M V V Satyanarayana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 230

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2023

## Ban on Single Use Plastics

## 230. SHRI M.V.V. SATYANARAYANA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the ban on single use plastics is not an effective solution  and  there  is  a  need  for  a  strong  collection  mechanism  for  plastic  waste  as highlighted by many Experts;
- (b) if so, the steps being taken to tackle this problem;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any research to find better alternatives and stronger mechanisms for plastic collection and funds allocated for this purpose; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a)  and  (b):    Identified  single  use  plastic  items,  which  have  low  utility  and  high  littering potential, have already been prohibited, with effect from 1st July, 2022, vide Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 notified on 12 th  August 2021, across the country. 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 31st December, 2022.

Regular  enforcement  drives  have  been  undertaken  to  implement  ban  on  identified single  use  plastic  items  and  on  plastic  carry  bags  having  thickness  less  than  one  hundred twenty microns. Actions have been taken on the deviations, which include seizure of banned single use plastic items and levy of penalty.

The Ministry had notified Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Plastic Packaging on 16th February 2022. The Guidelines mandate registration of obligated entities viz. Producers, Importers and Brand owners (PIBOs) and Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) on the centralized online EPR portal for plastic packaging. The EPR target of PIBOs are to be fulfilled  by  procuring  EPR  certificates  from  registered  PWPs.  The  implementation  of extended  producer  responsibility  on  plastic  packaging  by  PIBOs  will  allow  for  further development of the waste management sector covering collection, segregation, processing of plastic waste, with the engagement of the informal sector and unorganized sector including ragpickers  and  waste  -dealers.  As  per  the  dashboard  of  centralized  EPR  portal  for  plastic packaging, around 31566 Producers, Importers and Brand owners (PIBOs) and 2309 Plastic

Waste Processors (PWPs) are registered on the online EPR portal. The EPR liability for the year 2022-23 is approximately 3.3 million tonnes.

(c) and (d): 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 single-use plastic items, as per scheme guidelines. 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.  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. The Eco-alternatives inter alia made from coir, bagasse, rice and wheat bran, plant  and agricultural residue, banana and areca leaves, jute and cloth. 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.