India Set to Impose Nationwide Ban on Single-use Plastic Products on October 2

India Set to Impose Nationwide Ban on Single-use Plastic Products on October 2

Recently, the Narendra Modi government announced to end the use of single-use plastic by 2022 to scrape harmful plastics in the country. But now, the government is set to impose a nationwide ban on plastic bags, plates, small bottles, straws and cups on October 2, on the birth anniversary of the Mahatma Gandhi. This ban is expected to be comprehensive and will cover the manufacture and import of plastics in India.

On Independence Day, Modi had appealed people and government agencies to "take the first big step" on October 2 to make India free from single-use plastic. Many states already have come forward to make efforts to ban single-use plastic. Now, the central government is taking strict measures to bring improvement in environmental for plastic products. Under this plan, the government is planning to ask e-commerce companies also to reduce the use of plastic packaging and instead use more environment-friendly materials.

Plastic pollution is a global challenge and other countries are focusing on it. But India does not have any systematic way to control plastic waste. Now, this ban will clip 5% to 10% of the annual consumption of India about 14 million tonnes of plastic.

Government is also planning for penalties for violations of the ban; it will be implemeted after an initial six-month period to let people get some time to adopt alternatives.