Phased ban on plastics is welcome. Challenge will lie in enforcement, bringing in viable substitutes

News: The government has introduced rules to ban plastic in India in a phased manner. Now, the ban on the manufacture and use of several common use-and-throw plastic products will come into effect from 01 July 2022.

New Plastic Ban rules (To be banned in a phased manner)

At present, the banning would apply to relatively low utility items. Like, plastic cutlery items, ice cream, and balloon sticks, sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packs, PVC banners measuring under 100 microns, and earbuds are some of the items that will no longer be available.

Further, the prohibition will be extended to polythene bags under 120 microns in December 2022.

Some Success achieved by the state in a plastic ban so far

Some food vendors, takeaway restaurants, and grocery outfits have begun using biodegradable cutlery and cloth or paper bags.

The government claims that many plastic units are making the switch to using packaging alternatives such as cotton, jute, paper, and crop stubble waste.

What are the reasons for poor implementation?

Although, in the past five years, more than 20 states have put in place some form of regulation on plastic use. But their implementation has been patchy at best.

But the state pollution control boards and the municipalities which are mandated to enforce the plastic ban\ are poorly-staffed, feebly empowered, and cash-strapped.

What should be done?

Enforcement

The Environmental Ministry will set up the control rooms to monitor the ban on plastic items.

The government should raise awareness amongst people and take all stakeholders into confidence. For example, the success of Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh testifies to this.

Plastic Substitution

The innovations should be made to develop the alternatives sector, which can produce at a scale that will enable businesses all over the country to make the environment-friendly transition.

The 22,000 plastic manufacturing units in the country can work towards the alternative segment so that the environmental footprint of the packaging sector can be reduced to a considerable extent.

Industry experts say that the prices of a lot of the current plastic substitutes burden the retailer and the consumer.

The government should provide hand-hold to businesses, especially small outfits already strained by the economic fallout of the pandemic.

In the long run, it must join hands with industry bodies to facilitate R&D in viable plastic substitutes.

Source: The post is based on the article “Phased ban on plastics is welcome. Challenge will lie in enforcement, bringing in viable substitutes” published in the Indian Express on 30^th June 2022.