Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued a press release on sustainable plastic packaging. This press release was issued on 23rd March, 2023.
From 1st July, 2022, identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, have already been prohibited. The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of plastic carry bags having thickness less than seventy-five microns have been prohibited from 30th September 2021 and having thickness less than thickness of one hundred and twenty microns, from the 31st December, 2022. Action has been taken on violations of these prohibitions, which include seizure of banned single use plastic items and levy of penalty.
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:
- National Dashboard for monitoring of implementation of comprehensive action plan
- CPCB Monitoring Module for Compliance on Elimination of Single Use Plastic, and
- CPCB Grievance Redressal App.
Steps have also been taken by concerned central ministries and state governments towards implementation of the ban on identified single use plastic items. Private enterprises are manufacturing eco-alternatives.
The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended, provide the statutory framework for environmentally sound management and disposal of plastic waste including waste generated from single use plastic. The Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) stipulate mandatory targets on EPR, recycling of plastic packaging waste, reuse of rigid plastic packaging and use of recycled plastic content. The guidelines provide for moving towards sustainable plastic packaging and reducing the plastic foot print of plastic packaging.
