Single use plastic ban
- PC : mrp
Considering the environmental issues in the country the PM Narendra Modi led Central Government is planning to ban single-use plastic products from October 02.
The government is set to impose a nationwide ban on plastic bags, cups, small bottles, certain types of sachets and straws. Further, the Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan have asked the Pepsi, Coco-Cola and other packaged drinks manufacturers to find an alternative packaging solution.
According to the media reports, the government officials said that the Central Government is leading efforts to scrap such plastics by 2022. Government is set to launch the campaign with a ban on as many as six items on October 02.
Since 2nd October is celebrated as the birth anniversary of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was also begun in the country on October 02, 2014.
What do you mean by single-use plastic?
Single-use plastics are also known as disposable plastics. These are commonly used for plastic packaging and include items intended to be used only once before they are thrown away or recycled.
Example of Single-use plastics; plastic bags, food packaging, bottles, straws, containers, plastic plates, cups, coffee stirrers and cutlery.
Reason Behind Putting Ban on Single-use plastics
- The climate and environment are becoming a growing worldwide concern. Plastic pollution and plastic waste management have become the focal point of worry.
- According to a study, nearly 50% of single-use plastic products end up, killing marine life and entering the human food chain.
- The European Union and China are working on the Single-use plastics problem and they will soon sort out it.
- However, India lacks an organised system for management of such plastic waste. The problem results in widespread littering across its towns and cities.
- In the Independence Day speech on Aug. 15, PM Narendra Modi had urged people and government agencies to "take the first big step".
- The first big step referred to move ahead towards freeing India of single-use plastic on October 2.
- The Union minister for environment, forest and climate change
The officials also told that an initial six-month period time will be allowed to people to adopt alternatives. After that, the penalties will be imposed for violations of the ban. While some Indian states have already imposed ban polythene bags.
The officials also told that an initial six-month period time will be allowed to people to adopt alternatives. After that, the penalties will be imposed for violations of the ban. Some Indian states have already imposed ban polythene bags such as; Sikkim, Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Nagaland and Jharkhand.
Earlier this year in a UN meeting, 170 countries have pledged to "significantly reduce" the use of plastics by 2030. The UN's Climate Action Summit is also expected to be held this month.
Millions of tons of plastic are being produced every year also recycling of plastic is not a permanent solution. The manufacturers of single-use plastic are required to look for other alternatives that are biodegradable.
