WHAT IF PLASTIC BECOMES ILLEGAL IN INDIA
ABSTRACT
Plastic is harmful for the environment, animals, marine life and our health, it takes hundreds of years to decompose, so it creates a lot of pollution. It also takes up a lot of space in land.
Plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose, so it creates a lot of pollution. It also takes up a lot of space in landfills. Plastic poses a serious threat to the environment, according to a new report from the World Wildlife Fund. The report, released Tuesday, found that plastic is harming wildlife, polluting the air and water, and contributing to climate change.
It also found that plastic production is expected to quadruple by 2050, and that if current trends continue, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050. The report urges businesses and governments to take action to reduce plastic pollution, including banning single-use plastic bags, increasing recycling, and investing in alternatives to plastics.
WHAT IS SINGLE USE PLASTIC?
A single-use plastic is an object made of plastic that is intended to be used “only once” before being disposed off or recycled.Single-use plastics are disposable plastic items that are commonly used for packaging and include items intended to be used only once before they are thrown away or recycled.
There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that plastic usage is harmful to both the environment and human health. Plastic is a man-made material that is not biodegradable, meaning it can take centuries to break down. As a result, it can clog up landfills and pollute the environment.
In addition, plastic is often made from harmful chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA), which can leach into food and drink and cause a variety of health problems. Some studies have linked BPA exposure to cancer, developmental problems, and fertility issues.
In an effort to reduce plastic pollution, the Indian government has announced that it will ban all single-use plastic in the country by 2022. The ban will cover items such as plastic bags, straws, and cutlery. India produces over 15,000 tons of plastic waste every day, and much of it ends up in the country’s oceans.
PLASTIC BAN LAW’S IN INDIA:
Himachal Pradesh was the first state in country to ban use of plastic bags in 2009. Since then, the state government has been making efforts to reduce the plastic waste in the towns and rural areas of the state. This was followed by a ban in Maharashtra in 2005. In 2010, Delhi became the third Indian city to ban plastic bags.
Sikkim was way ahead of all these states, but only when it comes to plastic bags, which the state banned in 1998. In 2016, it announced a ban on use of plastic bottles and Styrofoam and thermocol disposable plates and cutlery, not a blanket single-use plastic ban.
The small state of Sikkim, Northern India, is nestled high up in the Himalayas has been undergoing a green revolution before it was cool—since 1998 to be exact. Since then it has spearheaded bold environmental policies becoming a true world leader in sustainability.? In the 1990s Sikkim was a scenic but struggling backwater. In a bid to modernize the tiny Himalayan state, India’s former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee launched a $200 million development project to upgrade the region’s infrastructure.? Early on in the project, the state’s newly elected leader Pawan Chamling spotted an opportunity to achieve something much bigger than just modernizing the state. With Vajpayee’s blessing, Chamling embarked on a plan to utilize the funds to transform Sikkim into the world’s first fully organic state.? In 2003, Chamling passed the Sikkim Organic Mission, a policy that prohibited the sale and use of any chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides in Sikkim. The plan was ambitious and somewhat controversial. High up in the Himalayas, the state’s farmers were limited to using traditional farming techniques.? While farmers initially resisted the policy, the state government provided incentives that eventually won over the farmers. The organic policy was phased in slowly and thoughtfully, giving farmers time to convert their land and crops and get used to the new way of farming. Chamling also invested in educating farmers .In 1998 Sikkim became the first Indian state to ban plastic bags and target single-use plastic bottles.
Since then, a number of other Indian states and union territories have implemented bans or plastic bag reduction schemes. These include Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Lakshadweep Islands.
All these initiatives sound good as India has announced to phase out single-use plastics by 2022. However, are these bans implemented in entirety? Many reports suggest they are not. Therefore, the issue is not just about announcing bans of one kind or another. It is about creating a movement against all single-use plastics,“Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives ”(GAIA)’s.
LAW’S IN INDIA:
Environment (protection) Act,1986
The formation seeds of this act were sworn at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held at Stockholm in June, 1972, to take appropriate steps for the protection and improvement of the human environment.
Section 3 of The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 provides for power of the Central Government, to take all such measures as it deems necessary for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the environment and preventing controlling and abating environmental pollution.
Section 6 of The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 provides rule making power of central government, by notification in the Official Gazette, in respect of all or any of the matters referred to in section 3 of the said act.
Section 8 of The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 restricts persons handling hazardous substances to comply with procedural safeguards as specified by the government from time to time.
Section 25 of The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 provides power of central government to make rules, by notification in the Official Gazette, for carrying out the purposes of this Act such as the standards in excess of which environmental pollutants shall not be discharged or emitted, the safeguards in compliance with which hazardous substances, and so on.??
The Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 – Key provisions
It has specified detailed condition for carry bags as follows:
Carry bags shall either be in natural shade which is without any added pigments or made using only those pigments and colorants which are in conformity with Indian standards.
No person shall use carry bags made of recycled plastics or compostable plastics for storing, carrying, dispensing or packaging food stuffs.
No person shall manufacture, stock, distribute or sell any carry bag made of virgin or recycled or compostable plastic, which is less than 40 microns in thickness.
Sachets using plastic material or any other form of plastic material shall not be used for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala.
Recycled carry bags shall conform to the Indian standard IS 14534:1998 titled as Guidelines for Recycling of Plastic.
Carry bags made from compostable plastics shall conform to the Indian Standard: IS/ISO 17088:2008 titled as specifications for Compostable plastics.??
It has also provided also provided for the plastic waste management as follows:
Recycling, recovery or disposal of plastic waste shall be carried out as per the rules, regulations and standards stipulated by the Central Government.
Recycling of plastics shall be carried out in accordance with the Indian Standard.
The municipal authority shall be responsible for setting-up, operationalisation and co-ordination of the waste management system
It also provided for the Determination of the degree of degradability and degree of disintegration of plastic material shall be as per the protocols of the Indian Standards.??
It further provided registration protocol for manufacturers or recyclers that any person manufacturing or proposing to manufacture carry bags and multi‐layered plastics shall apply to the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) and Pollution Control Committee (PCC) for the grant of registration or the renewal of registration.
It has also set a limit to the cost of carry bags which will be determined by municipal authority.??
It has also stated that Each State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee shall prepare and submit the annual report to the Central Pollution Control Board by 30th September each year.? The Central Pollution Control Board shall prepare a consolidated annual report and submit it to the Central Government by 30th December each year.
Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018
In exercise of the powers conferred by sections 3, 6 and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and in supersession of the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, the Central Government have made Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018. These rules shall apply to every waste generator, local body, Gram Panchayat, manufacturer, Importers and producer.
These rules have well defined the concept of “extended producer’s responsibility” which means the responsibility of a producer for the environmentally sound management of the product until the end of its life.
It has imposed certain Conditions on manufacture, importer stocking, distribution, sale and use of carry bags, plastic sheets or like, or cover made of plastic sheet and multi-layered packaging for an eco-friendly environment. The conditions imposed are as follows:
Carry bags and plastic packaging shall either be in natural shade which is without any added pigments or made using only those pigments and colorants which are in conformity with Indian Standard
It has further provided that the local bodies shall do plastic waste management in their respective jurisdiction. Every local body shall be responsible for development and setting up of infrastructure for segregation, collection, storage, transportation, processing and disposal of the plastic waste either on its own or by engaging agencies or producers.
It has also specifically stated the Responsibility of Gram Panchayat and Waste generator along with the responsibilities of producers, Importers and Brand Owners.
Draft of Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021
The Central Government proposes to issue, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 6, 8 and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, for making certain amendments in the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
It proposes to prohibit the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of Earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration and any other single-use plastic commodities from 1st January, 2022.
It also proposes to prohibit the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of following single-use plastic commodities shall be prohibited from 1st July, 2022:
Single-use plastic (including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene) items: plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping/packing films around sweet boxes; invitation cards; and cigarette packets, plastic/PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.
The above provision shall not apply to commodities (including carry bags) made of compostable plastic material.
Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021
Amendment in rules relating to ‘Single-use plastic’-
A new sub-rule (2) is inserted to rule 4 which prohibits the manufacture, stocking, distribution, import, sale, and use of the following ‘single-use plastic commodities (including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene)’ from 1st July 2022-
Earbuds with plastic sticks,
Plastic flags,
Plastic sticks for balloons,
Ice-cream sticks,
Candy sticks,
Polystyrene (Thermocol) for decoration,
Cups,
Plates,
Cutlery like spoons, forks, straw, knives, wrapping/ packing films around sweet boxes, trays, cigarette packets, and invitation cards,
Glasses,
Plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns,
Stirrers.
Notably, the above prohibition will not apply to commodities made of compostable plastic.
Amendment in thickness of plastic carry bags-
With a view to stopover, the littering on account of lightweight plastic carrier bags and enable reuse, the thickness of the plastic carry bags is increased in the following manner-
Firstly, from 50 microns to 75 microns with effect from 30th September 2021; and
Thereafter, from 75 microns to 120 microns with effect from 31st December 2021.
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Specified thickness of Plastimanner
The new Rules have put a moratorium on manufacturing, stocking and distribution of plastic carry bags less than 40 microns.
Amendments relating to Marking or Labelling-
Following amendments are carried out in rule 11 relating to marking or labeling-
The producer or brand owner of the carry bags is also required to mention the information like name, registered number, and thickness of the carry bags. Earlier the same applied only to the manufacturer.
From now, even on the plastic packing the information like name, the registered number of the manufacturer or producer or brand owner, and thickness needs to be mentioned,
Multi-layered packaging used for imported goods is excluded from the requirement of mentioning of name and registered number of the manufacturer.
Other important amendments-
Definition of the term ‘Non-woven plastic bags’ is inserted in rule 3(i)(na) which means a non-woven plastic bag made up of any of the following which is bonded by mechanical or chemical or thermal means-
Plastic sheet; or
Web structure fabric of entangled plastic fibers; or
Rule 3(ii)(qa) is inserted which defines the term ‘Plastic waste processing’ as a process, wherein, plastic waste is handled for any of the following purposes-
Reuse,
Recycling,
Transformation in new product, or
Co-processing.
Implementation
Looking at the challenges faced in implementation of Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018 and The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 The Central Government has Draft of Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021.
A preliminary analysis of the State level action on restriction/prohibition of plastic carry bags and some single-use plastic items suggests that many challenges have been faced in the implementation of these regulatory provisions. However, some States have reportedly achieved considerable success. Whereas, considering the high environmental costs associated with management of single-use plastics, particularly the adverse effect on marine environment, and the need for a definitive action supplementing the initiative undertaken by various States/UTs to combat plastic pollution, in the Draft of Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021 it Is proposed that a prohibition on the manufacture, use, sale, import and handling of some of the single-use plastic items may be imposed on a pan India basis.
Why Bioplastics Will Not Solve the World’s Plastics Problem.
Bioplastics now in use can be broken down by microorganisms and become part of the natural world again in a short period of time, this only happens if the plastic is collected and composted in carefully controlled, high-temperature industrial composting facilities — and there aren’t many of those, especially in developing countries where the problem of plastic pollution is most severe.
If bioplastics end up in landfills, as many do, without enough oxygen to break them down, they can last for centuries and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. If thrown into the environment, they pose threats similar to PET plastic.
They are basically the same as plastic and don’t decompose in the way most people think they ,
Bioplast are compostable but they need high temperature industrial composting facilities to breakdown . Bioplasts left in home compost might take many years to decompose.So those Bioplast bags and cutlery won’t solve plastic issue of landfill , they will also stay there for years just like plastic .
?Another big issue recycling businesses are facing with Bioplast is if it is not discarded properly , they can contaminate batches of recycled plastic and harm recycling infrastructure also it can contaminate whole recycled PET batch after that they can’t use it further and whole entire lot can end up to landfill due to rejection .
They are made from plants which requires land to grow so over production of that can be harmful as they are frequently made of plants such as corn , which is monocrop.Monocrops are not benificial for environment they are degrading soil quality and lowering the yeild.
Even a 100-percent plant-based bottle is not the solution it might seem. Not only can bioplastics find their way into the environment and take many years to break down, but because they are made from plants, they come with the environmental problems that large-scale agriculture causes. The sugars used to make bioplastic often come from transgenic crops sprayed with herbicides and pesticides, and these crops take land out of production that is needed to feed a growing global population.
Reducing the amount of single-use packaging? and eco friendly solution is reusable use is the only solution.
How to reduce plastic use
Here are some simple ways to reduce plastic use:
Recycling, whenever you can, has a positive impact on the planet as it prevents too many plastics from ending up in landfills. Of course, recycling systems aren’t perfect, but recycling is still more productive than chucking everything in the same bin.
Recycle clean bottles, cans, paper and cardboard.
No loose plastic bags or recycled goods should be placed in plastic bags.
Single-use plastic items are one of the biggest offenders when it comes to plastic pollution. You might find it harder than you’d think to stay away from them, but noticing how prevalent they are in daily life is a good first step.?
Some common examples that contain single-use plastic include plastic-wrapped vegetables in supermarkets, wet wipes, cotton buds, plastic cutlery, coffee cups, straws, sanitary products and cigarettes. Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives if you look for them.
If you own a small business, it can really make a difference if you look for alternative packaging options. Whether you own a café or have a small business on Etsy, you could try more sustainable packaging options, including paper and cardboard.?
A trash audit is basically where you take a look at your rubbish and track what you’re throwing away frequently. Often, we throw things away without a second thought, so this is a great way of understanding exactly how much waste we create. A trash audit also allows us to find substitutes for our most regularly discarded items.
For example, if you find a lot of coffee cups in the trash, you know it’s time to buy a reusable cup. Alternatively, if you have a lot of crisp packets, consider buying a bigger packet next time and finding packaging that’s recyclable. Or, you could look into a scheme like Terracycle that helps you recycle crisp packets.?
We touched on this in our previous points about single-use plastics, but finding reusable alternatives is the best way to ensure that you stop using so many single-use plastic items. These don’t have to be fancy bamboo alternatives either – even placing regular metal cutlery in your bag, or taking an old plastic water bottle with you to work will suffice.
As we mentioned earlier, lots of vegetables and fruits are covered in plastics at the supermarket. To avoid this problem entirely whilst also learning to be more self-sufficient, why not try growing your own food? With help from our course How to Grow Healthy Plants by Gardeners World Magazine, you’ll be growing your own herbs and veggies in no time.
If you don’t quite have the time and energy to grow your own food, consider buying food from local markets and low-waste shops instead. Depending on the country you live in, buying from markets can be either more or less expensive than supermarkets – so it’s a good idea to do some research beforehand and find the best option for you.?
Low-waste shops are notably more expensive, but they can be a great option for dried goods such as pasta, rice, pulses and nuts. You usually bring your own containers with you and fill them as needed – no waste created!?
Similarly to growing your own food, why not try baking your own bread and other baked goods? This is not only a fun and rewarding activity, but it will reduce the amount of plastic-wrapped baked goods and bread that you buy at the shop.?
It’s so easy to get sucked into the worlds of cleaning and cosmetic products, but we know that many of them use extremely simple ingredients and can be made at home? This can not only reduce your use of plastic but is also better for the environment as you’ll be using less harmful chemicals.?
There are plenty of ways you can make your laundry routine more eco-friendly and plastic-free. First of all, detergent often comes in plastic bottles or plastic sachets, so try to go for a zero-waste detergent. You could even try a laundry egg – recyclable and durable eggs that contain plastic-free pellets that both clean and soften your clothes.
Besides detergent, consider making a homemade stain remover and buying a microfibre washing bag to prevent microplastics from shedding off your clothes. Washing clothes on cold will also make them last longer, preventing plastic waste in the form of clothing and reducing your carbon footprint.
This is such a simple fix that you may not think of it initially. When you order a takeaway, ensure that you click to say that you don’t want any added cutlery. You can even write a note asking for as little extra plastic as possible.?
In addition to this, it’s worth saving takeaways for special occasions if you can help it. Because they have to be packaged up and sent to you, there is always a lot of packaging involved that wouldn’t be created if you cooked or went out to the restaurant instead.
Here discuss how fast fashion is one of the biggest polluters in the world. Part of the reason for this is because so many clothes from fast fashion brands are made from plastics: polyester, nylon, acrylic.?
So when masses of clothes go to landfills after being worn once or twice, they don’t biodegrade for hundreds of years. Instead, if you want to buy new clothes, continue buying garments made from sustainable or recycled materials.?
Shopping in bulk is where you do one very big shop and pick up all the essentials you need, rather than buying smaller amounts of ingredients on a regular basis. Not only can you save money by choosing to shop this way, but you also use a lot less packaging and single-use plastics.
It’s so easy to buy a bottle of water when you feel thirsty – and we know that your health and staying hydrated are very important. However, in the UK,? throw away 7.7 billion plastic water bottles a year, despite having great quality drinking water.?
You can beat the urge to buy a plastic water bottle by remembering to take a refillable water bottle with you everywhere. Even if you forget to fill it up before you leave, most cafes will be happy to fill it up for you. This is an area where you can really make a difference with minimal effort.
Sometimes, you need to buy plastic items. So many things are made from plastic that it’s difficult to avoid. If you do need to, perhaps consider buying items second-hand. Whether you take a look in charity shops or on eBay, there are often so many pre-loved items available for you to rehome.
Have you ever heard of upcycling? If not, take note. Upcycling is when you revamp old items to make them more appealing or useful. This can be a great way to breathe new life into old plastic items or clothing garments so that they’re not wasted, and you don’t buy new things.
Microplastics is a term we use to describe pieces of plastic debris that are less than 5mm in length. They are a big problem, especially in our oceans, as fish will often unknowingly consume microplastic. They can be found in many health, beauty and cleaning products. Microfibres come from clothing and other soft furnishings, so this is another reason why it’s useful to buy plastic-free fabrics.?
We discussed earlier how it’s vitally important for governments and manufacturers to make a difference when it comes to plastic use and plastic waste. However, the way you choose to spend your money can put pressure on manufacturers.?
Choosing to buy from a company is like a vote of confidence – if manufacturers see that fewer people are buying from them because of their attitudes to plastics, they are likely to make positive changes.?
If we can look for more practical ways to prevent the spread of plastic pollution, look no further than a local clean. This is particularly easy to get involved in if you live by the sea, as there are often organised beach cleans taking place. You can learn more about this in our How to stop waste reaching the oceans open step.
However, you don’t have to wait for an organised event. Take a binbag with you to your town centre, beach, park or local beauty spot, and remove all the litter.?
For a final tip, we encourage everyone to inspire those around you. The easiest way to make a difference as individuals and communities is to encourage our friends, families, peers and coworkers to adjust their lifestyles. This doesn’t have to be in a preachy way – you just need to discuss the facts, give useful information, and offer practical and simple solutions for reducing plastic waste.