Flipkart bans single use plastic packaging
E-commerce giant Flipkart has banned single-use plastic packaging. Single-use plastics, also known as disposable plastics, are commonly used for plastic packaging. Also, it includes items that are used only once before being thrown away or recycled.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board, India generated 26,000 tonnes per day (TPD) of plastic waste in the financial year 2017-18. Of this, only 60 percent was recycled.
Problems associated with single use plastics
Single-use plastics gradually and progressively break down into microscopic segments of plastics, called micro-plastics. These take thousands of years to decompose, contaminating the soil and water in the process.
Steps taken by the government
- A target has been set to eliminate single use plastic by the year
- The draft Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021 has been released. It proposes to ban several categories of single-use plastic items in three phases.
- To increase the thickness of carry bags made of virgin plastic from 50 microns to 120 microns with effect from 30 September
- Imposing a ban on the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of specific single-use plastics with effect from January 1,
- With the increase in the ban on single use plastic items with effect from 1st July 2022, plates, cups, plastic/PVC banners etc. of less than 100 microns will also be banned.
Best Practices
- Ireland: This country has imposed a tax on plastic bags at places of sale, named “PlasTax”. This tax has been set at six times the estimated willingness to pay. It aims to change behavior among consumers is to inspire.
- Deposit refund system in Norway: Since 1999 Norway has used a deposit refund system for its beverage bottles and cans. Under this, the public returns the plastic material to the reverse vending machines to get back their deposit.
Source – The Hindu
