The CPCB has taken drastic steps to fulfill India’s obligation to shut down Exclusive Plastic Products before June 30, 2022, in order to fulfill the call of the Honorable Prime Minister to end the comprehensive SUP.CPCB approach as part of the Comprehensive Action Plan. reducing the supply of immature materials, seeking alternative measures to reduce the need for plastic, methods that allow the promotion of alternative SUP methods, digital interventions for effective recruitment and awareness, and guidance to State Boards for the effective implementation of guidelines.
In accordance with the Plastic Waste Management Regulations (PWM), 2016, there is a complete ban on bags using plastic items used for storing, packing or selling gutkha, cigarettes and pan masala. In accordance with PWM (Amendment) By 2021 regulations, the production, importation, packaging, distribution, sale and use of reusable or recycled plastic bags of less than seventy-five microns is prohibited from 30 September, 2021 respectively. fifty microns previously recommended under PWM Rules, 2016. In addition, the 12th of August 2021 notice, prohibits the manufacture, importation, storage, distribution, sale, sale and use of the following single-use, low-power and dumping rubbish from July 1, 2022. plates, cups, glasses, cutting tools such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films in candy boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns, stirrers, ears with plastic sticks, plastic balloon sticks, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration.
In order to curb the provision of identified items, guidelines have been issued at national, regional and local levels. For example, all leading petrochemical industries do not supply plastic materials to industries that make SUP production prohibited. In addition, guidelines have been issued to SPCB / PCCs for the amendment / revocation of a work permit issued under the Air / Water Act for industries involving SUP production. The Customs Authority has been asked to stop the importation of SUP-restricted items. To complete the process, Local Authorities have been instructed to issue new commercial licenses provided that SUP items will not be sold on their premises and existing licenses will be revoked, if businesses are found to be selling banned SUP items.
As an alternative to existing provision, permissible steps to improve alternatives to SUP are actively followed. The CPCB has already issued one-time certificates to nearly 200 manufacturers of composite plastic. These certificates do not require renewal in line with the government’s policy of facilitating business. In addition, an online site has been set up to assist with the certification of these manufacturers. To support MSMEs, CPCB in partnership with CIPET is organizing MSME Workshops across the country to switch to SUP alternatives. Three such workshops were held in Ranchi, Guwahati and Madurai. The development of alternatives to gasoline-based plastics is also being carried out in partnership with leading technology institutions such as IISc and CIPET.
On the demand side, guidelines have been issued to E-commerce companies, leading single-use plastic retailers / users, and manufacturers of immature plastic items on discontinuation pointed to plastic materials used once. To encourage citizens to participate in efforts, the SPCB and local organizations organize high-level awareness campaigns for all citizens – students, voluntary organizations, self-help groups, local NGOs / CSOs, RWAs, market organizations, corporate organizations , etc. Earlier, the CPCB conducted an unexpected survey of Gutkha / Pan Masala manufacturing factories across the country to evaluate the use of plastic in the packaging of their product.
To create an enabling support system, the CPCB convenes State boards to apply the guidelines issued by conducting meetings so that all urban bodies in the various provinces can apply the guidelines effectively with their assistance. Regional workshops with SPCB / PCCs in addition to Central Workshop and Chairpersons of all SPCB / PCC are scheduled for June 2022.Finally, many digital interventions have been performed to increase efficiency on the scale. To enable citizens to participate, the SUP Public Grievance App was presented by the Hon’ble Minister of EF&CC, Shri Bhupender Yadav. The app has geotagging features that have a place to track complaints. SUP Compliance Monitoring Portal Portfolio Completion Reports for Provincial / UT Authorities in compliance with Comprehensive Guidelines issued by CPCB to monitor bird’s progress and daily monitoring.The CPCB is committed to advancing the Single Use Plastic Ban which has been informed of active collaboration with key stakeholders to achieve this goal of eradicating SUP plastics with a green future for India.
