The Centre’s move to ban single-use plastics in order to reduce plastic wastage comes into effect from Friday (July 1).
Single-use plastics are typically items that are discarded after being used only once and dies not go for the recycling process. The single-use plastics are big contributor to plastic pollution.
The adverse impacts and menace of littered single-use plastic items plastic on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are globally recognized.
The banned items include earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns and stirrers.
A National Control Room has been established in the Central Pollution Control Board to monitor the enforcement of the ban, besides asking the state boards to undertake comprehensive Awareness activities including social media campaign, interactive meetings with industries, colleges, schools and other institutions.
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It has been further directed to the state boards to intensify inspections of industrial and commercial establishment for effective implementation of the ban.
In line with the clarion call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to phase out single use plastic items by 2022, the environment ministry had notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, on 12 August 2021.
Carrying forward the spirit of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava' -- 75th year of Independence, a defining step to curb pollution caused by littered and unmanaged plastic waste is being taken by the country.
Earlier, the government prohibited manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of plastic carry bags having thickness less than seventy-five microns with effect from 30 September, 2021, and having thickness less than thickness of one hundred and twenty microns with effect from the 31 December, 2022.
