Will India's Plastic Bag Ban Be Good or Bad for Businesses?

A new law completely banning single-use plastic has been passed by the Indian Parliament. What does this mean for businesses?

Plastic pollution is an environmental problem that affects every part of our lives. In recent years, there has been growing concern over the amount of plastic waste we produce and how it ends up polluting our oceans, rivers, and landfills. The government of India recently announced plans to ban all single-use plastics starting July 1st, 2022. This includes plastic bags, straws, cutlery, plates, cups, and other items commonly used in restaurants and homes.

What are the legal steps taken under the ban?

Special enforcement teams are formed, and control rooms at the federal and state levels are established.

State governments will launch an enforcement campaign and shut down facilities involved in the production, distribution, stocking, and sale of specific single-use plastic (SUP) items as the ban becomes effective on Friday, according to officials with the Union Environment Ministry.

According to Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act (EPA) and the regulations of the relevant municipal corporations, violating the ban will result in sanctions, including fines, jail time, or both.

To prevent the transfer of any prohibited SUP items between States, it has been requested that States and Union Territories establish border controls.

To enable citizens to assist in reducing the usage of plastic, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has also established a grievance redressal application.

The ban will affect many industries.

Many industries will feel the effects of this ban, including food service, retail, manufacturing, transportation, construction, and others. While some companies might benefit from the ban, others will suffer. For example, the ban will likely reduce sales at grocery stores because customers won't need as much packaging. However, the ban will also make it more difficult for people to recycle plastic bags.

According to officials, plastic packaging used in the FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) industry is not prohibited but will fall under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) standards. It is the producer's duty under the EPR to handle the product in an environmentally sound manner throughout its entire life.

This could have a positive impact on the environment.

If implemented properly, the ban could help protect our oceans and waterways. It would also save money for consumers who no longer need to buy plastic bags. In addition, the ban could lead to less waste being sent to landfills.

There may be some negative impacts on business.

While there are certainly benefits to the ban, there will likely be some negative effects as well. Many people use plastic bags because they are convenient and cheap. They are also an effective means of protecting food from contamination. However, the ban could cause some inconveniences for shoppers.