Bio-Plastics
What is Bioplastic?
Bioplastic refers to plastic made from plants like maize, wheat or sugarcane, or other biological material instead of petroleum. Bio-plastics are biodegradable and compostable plastic materials. It can be made by extracting sugar from plants like corn and sugarcane and converting it into polylactic acids (PLA). It can also be made from polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from microorganisms. PLA plastic is commonly used in food packaging, while PHA is often used in medical devices like sutures and cardiovascular patches.
What is banned?
• Single-use plastic products end up in the sea more than reusable ones.
• A number of items are banned, including earbuds with plastic sticks, balloon sticks, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decorations, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers, etc.
Is India Alone?
• India is not the first country to ban single-use plastics.
• Bangladesh became the first country to ban thin plastic bags in 2002.
• New Zealand banned plastic bags in July 2019.
• China issued a ban on plastic bags in 2020 with a phased implementation.
• As of July 2019, 68 countries have plastic bag bans with varying degrees of enforcement.
What are the plastic waste management rules in India?
• With effect from September 30, 2021, the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, prohibited the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of plastic carry bags whose thickness is less than 75 microns.
• From December 31, 2022, plastic carry bags whose thickness is less than 120 microns are banned.
• The ban does not cover all plastic bags. It requires the manufacturers to produce plastic bags thicker than 75 microns which were earlier 50 microns.
• As per the notification, the standard shall be increased to 120 microns in December this year.
• Plastic or PVC banners/ hoardings should have more than 100 microns in thickness,
• Non-woven plastic (polypropylene) must be more than 60 GSM (grams per square meter).
• Non-woven plastic bags have a cloth-like texture but are counted among plastics.
• Till, plastic or PET bottles, counted among the most recyclable types of plastic, have been left out of the scope of the ban.
• Border checkpoints have been established.
• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has launched a grievance redressal application.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is the responsibility of a producer for the environmentally sound management of the product until the end of its life.
• Those found violating the ban can be penalized under the Environment Protection Act 1986 – which allows for imprisonment of up to 5 years, a penalty of up to Rs 1 lakh, or both.
What are the challenges?
• Participation of stakeholders enthusiastically.
• Almost 25 Indian States previously banned plastic at the state level. However, these bans had a very limited impact in reality because of the widespread use of these items.
• local level authorities will enforce the ban in accordance with the guidelines.
• Banned items such as earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, etc., are non-branded items and it is difficult to find out who the manufacturer is and who is accountable for selling because these items will be available in the market even after the issuing of guidelines.
What can be the Way Forward?
• The consumer needs to be informed about the ban through advertisements, newspaper or TV commercials, or on social media.
• In order to find sustainable alternatives, companies need to invest in research and development.
• The solution to the plastic pollution problem is not the responsibility of the government alone, but of
industries, brands, manufacturers, and most importantly consumers.
• Greener alternatives to plastic may be considered a sustainable option. For example, compostable and bio-degradable plastic, etc., may be considered as an option.
While the total ban on the use of plastic sounds like a great idea, its feasibility seems difficult at this hour, especially in the absence of workable alternatives.
