The central government has taken a big decision to make India free from single-use plastic and in view of the plastic waste and the danger posed by them all over the country. The government announced that single-use plastic would not be used across the country from July 1, 2022, next year, the government bans single-use plastic.
The Center has issued a draft notification and said that the scheme should not affect small traders, and has also decided to increase the thickness of polythene bags from 50 microns to 120 microns from September 30 in view of the increasing dangers from waste. Still, polythene bags of less than 50 microns are banned in the country.
Next year, till 15th August 2022, the day of independence, plastic items used in the whole country will be banned under the rules of manufacture, import, storage, distribution, sale and use. Single use plastic will be banned in two phases. The first phase will start from January 2022, in this phase some plastic items such as plastic flags, balloons and candy sticks will be banned and then from July 1, 2022, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, There will be a plastic ban on things like wrapping, packing films, invitation cards, cigarette packets etc.
A government official said that first those items will be banned in a phased manner, whose alternative is easily available. At the same time, the responsibility of coordinating the waste management system will be with the urban local bodies and village panchayats. Apart from this, the provision of thickness will not be applicable on carry bags made of compostable plastic. Manufacturers or sellers of compostable plastic carry must obtain a certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board before selling or using the plastic material.
An appeal has been made to the state and union territories governments to constitute a special task force under the chief secretary or administrator to make the rule effective in their states.