India Completely Bans Plastic Items From 1st July 2022
The Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 28 June has announced that the government will ban identified single use plastic items across the country from 1 July.
Single-use plastics are those items that are used only once and discarded. The adverse impacts of single use plastic items on both land and water ecosystems, including in marine environments has been recognised globally. Pollution due to single use plastic items like straws, disposable plates, cups etc has caused severe environmental problems including soil infertility, soil erosion, water shortage etc. However, the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 28 June has announced that the government will ban identified single use plastic items across the country from 1 July. Earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice- cream sticks, Thermocol for decoration, plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic glasses, plastic cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packaging films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, etc. are some things which will be banned.
The ministry also said that for the effective enforcement of the ban State level control rooms will be set up for checking illegal manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of banned single use plastic items. The best way to go forward is to use cloth bags, metal straws, reusable metals glasses, etc. We need to focus on saving the environment and protecting our health as plastic is extremely harmful to health and causes cancer as well. What do you think about this step taken by the Indian government? Do mention your thoughts in the comment section below.
