Introduction

The term “single-use plastics” (or SUPs in short) refers to all those plastic items that are intended to be used only once and then thrown away or discarded. It also includes plastic products that are intended to be used for a very short period. Some common examples of SUPs are plastic cutleries, straws, cups, cotton bud sticks, etc. This type of plastic is used mainly by the food industry. The fact that SUPs effectively serve the purpose of production which is also cost-effective has made its usage prevalent. However, the harmful effects of plastic, particularly SUPs, are a growing concern. Almost everyone uses them in one or the other form and indeed they are very useful and efficacious.

However, its widespread usage and improper disposal have made it a critical environmental issue. The Indian government recognized this issue and implemented significant measures to reduce the usage of SUPs. The government had taken an indispensable action on July 1, 2022, which resulted in a comprehensive ban on SUPs. In this article, we will explore the detrimental effects of SUPs, the potential impact of the ban on consumers and other sectors, and the enforcement strategies.

Harmful Effects of SUPs

As discussed above, due to the convenience and cost-effectiveness SUPs offer, they have become ubiquitous and now almost half of the global plastic production consists of SUPs. It is a well-known fact that plastic is non-biodegradable which stays in the environment for centuries causing severe pollution. This huge concentration of SUPs, especially plastic bags, obstructs the respiratory and digestive systems of various terrestrial and aquatic animals as well. The toxic chemicals used in plastic production also pose severe health risks to humans. Moreover, its incineration also releases hazardous chemicals which again puts human health and the environment in danger. It is evident that the harmful effects of plastic pollution extend to both nature and living beings.

Assessing the Plastic Problem in India

India alone generates approximately 34.69 lakh tonnes of plastic waste annually as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report of 2019-20. A major contributor to the huge amount of plastic waste is India’s ever-growing FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) & food industry. Moreover, the country’s large population and economic growth have contributed substantially as well. The harmful effects of plastic are therefore particularly pronounced in densely populated areas.

Government Initiatives

The Indian government has undertaken serious measures to tackle this critical plastic pollution problem. During the 4th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) conference, India piloted a resolution plan and emphasized on the need for global attention on SUP pollution. Furthermore, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has also notified the Plastics Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2021 which prohibits the manufacturing, importing, stocking, distributing, selling, and usage of specific SUP items. CPCB and concerned SPCBs were delegated with the responsibility to monitor strict adherence and compliance and if anyone violates any of the relevant provisions or rules then they may be subjected to severe penalties and even imprisonment. Moving forward with this ban would only be possible by providing cheap and effective alternatives. The persistent harmful effects of plastic have made these government initiatives critical.

The economic and social impact of the SUP ban was addressed by the All India Plastic Manufacturers Association (AIPMA) which had warned that approx 90000 plastic manufacturing units would be required to close down and about 1 million jobs would be lost. Furthermore, it stated that exports worth ₹25,000 crore would be lost if the government moves forward with the ban decision. Moreover, the replacement cost of SUPs would be costly which means there might be some resistance to accepting the change. Which will make the implementation more difficult. Hence, the ban’s impact will need careful management to balance the harmful effects of plastic with economic needs.

Discussing Global Efforts

Similar responses can be seen globally as well. Almost all countries have implemented some or the other measures to curb plastic pollution. Some examples of other countries are as follows:

Bangladesh & New Zealand banned plastic bags in 2002 and 2019 respectively
In 2020, China had also announced a phased ban on plastic bags
The EU has also issued a directive on SUPs which came into effect in 2021. Similarly many US states have also banned it.

Conclusion

Banning SUPs by the Indian government was a significant step towards reducing plastic pollution and curbing its adverse effects on the environment and public health. The harmful effects of plastics have thus finally been recognized through policy.

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