[Answered] Highlight the challenges associated with phasing out single-use plastic and suggest remedial measures to achieve this objective.

Single-Use plastics are used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These include things like plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging.

Countries around the globe are taking measures to either reduce or prohibit single-use plastics. India prohibited the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of the identified single-use plastic under Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021.

Challenges associated with phasing out of single use plastic.

• Over-reliance on single use plastics: Extensive use of single use plastics, increasing global consumption, and low participation in recycling programs have led to more plastic production.
• Consumption externality: As the number of consumers is high, the cost of controlling them is also high. Imposing the cost of harm done by plastic use on all consumers may not yield efficient solutions.
• Increases substitution cost: The lack of a viable substitute and high cost associated with replacing plastics has slowed the process of phasing out of plastics. As Plastic provides a cheaper solution to the needs of consumers.
• Risk of unemployment: The resistance from the plastic industry and fear of loss of employment hinder the phasing out of single-use plastics.
• Difficult to apply global measures: It is difficult to create global measures like taxation that are acceptable to all countries. because measures may depend on country-specific circumstances.

How to address the challenges associated with Phasing out Single-Use plastic.

• Fiscal reforms: Countries can impose eco-taxes in the various stages of production, consumption or disposal of single-use plastics. It should work as a deterrent. The tax rate should also include the cost of negative externalities of plastic pollution to make it an effective deterrant.
• Governance reforms: The efficiency of a regulation depends on its architecture how well it is planned, designed and executed. It should be credible, transparent and predictable.
• Promoting Reuse: Promoting multiple use of plastics through better waste management. Effective implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
• Substitute promotion: The enhanced penalties and stricter norms would induce the manufacturers to shift to more environmentally friendly alternatives like jute
• Promoting awareness: the masses should be sensitized over adverse impacts of plastic use by collaborating with NGOs like Greenpeace India.
• Regulator: An independent environment regulator as envisaged by the Supreme Court should be created to oversee prudent implementation.

Plastic pollution is a menace that creates challenges for the very existence of life on earth. It must be countered with the collective effort of humanity.