Government Is All Set To Prohibit Single Use Plastic From 1st July 2022
Recently the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has now defined a list of plastic items which will be banned from July 1, 2022.
As per the notification, the manufacture, import, storage, distribution, sale and use of single use plastics including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene items shall be prohibited with effect from July 1, 2022.
Single use plastic refers to a plastic product that is used once for a single purpose before being disposed or recycled.
The following single use plastic items are prohibited under the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016:
- Plastic sticks: ear-buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration.
- Cutlery Items: Plates, cups, glasses, cutlery like forks, spoons, knives, straws and trays.
- Packing/Wrapping Films: Films used for wrapping and packing sweets boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets.
- Other items: Plastic or PVC banners, stirrers, etc. less than 100 microns.
Earlier, with effect from 30 September 2021, carry bags less than 75 microns thick were banned under the Plastic Waste Management Rules. This restriction will be increased to 120 microns with effect from December 31, 2022.
Plastic Waste Management Rules completely ban the use of pouches using plastic material for storage, packing or sale of gutka, tobacco and pan masala.
Source – The Hindu