The central government is banning single-use plastic with effect from July 1, 2022. The manufacture, import, storage, distribution, sale and use of single-use plastics, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene items, will be effectively banned throughout the country with effect from July 1, 2022. ,
A campaign will also be launched from July 1 to ensure compliance of restrictions on 19 identified by the Delhi Environment Department. single use plastic in the national capital, and will shut down all manufacturers, suppliers, stockists, dealers and vendors in violation of orders.
The 19 identified SUP items include earbuds, plastic sticks for balloons, flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol), plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, wrapping or packaging film Are included. Boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns, and stirrers.
A senior government official said, “The department has issued strict instructions to manufacturers, stockists, suppliers and distributors of single use plastic items to ensure zero inventory of 19 SUP items. Don’t do it. Zero Inventory will run out.”
To ensure strict enforcement, the department is planning regular inspections by manufacturers, brand owners, suppliers and stockists to ascertain compliance, the official said. Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
The official further said that the officials are inspecting and identifying industrial and redevelopment areas to shut down units manufacturing SUP items illegally.
The DPCC has asked Shriram Institute of Industrial Research to conduct a survey to identify littering hotspots in the national capital and to quantify plastic waste generation, out of 19 SUP items. The survey will cover all the 11 districts of Delhi and will have to be completed within four months.
The institute is entrusted with the task of surveying all the famous, prominent commercial establishments, malls, market places, shopping centres, cinema houses, restaurants, tourist places, places of worship, colleges, schools, office complexes, hospitals and other institutions.
It will have to prepare a list of stockists, retailers, vendors, street vendors, vegetable and fruit markets and importers dealing in bulk in SUP items and conduct district wise mapping of production, collection and processing of plastic waste and engage Producers have to be identified. in their production in the informal sector.
Meanwhile, manufacturers of small packaged fruit juices and dairy products want the government to extend the date of implementation of the ban until proper infrastructure is developed for the production of paper straws locally, saying that Import of such straws is not economically viable.
Shauna Chauhan, CEO, Parle Agro said that India currently does not have any infrastructure to be able to produce the quantity of straw required by the industry. We have started importing paper straws to ensure that the new regulations are met by its deadline. However, imports are not a permanent option.”
Seeking an extension of six months to help straw manufacturers in India build enough capacity to manufacture and supply biodegradable straws to beverage companies, Chouhan said, “We have already worked on developing several local MSMEs. which are able to meet the quantity of our biodegradable straws.
Echoing similar sentiments, Shahrukh Khan, Executive Director-Operations, Dabur India said, “Though some state regulators have permitted the use of biodegradable plastic straws and paper straws, but for mass production of these straws The infrastructure does not exist in India today. Therefore, we would urge the government to extend the date of implementation of the ban till proper infrastructure is developed for the production of paper straws locally.”