Single-use Plastics: Harmful Effects, Environmental Impact, and Steps at Global Level

The solution to the plastic pollution problem is not the responsibility of the government alone, but of industries, brands, manufacturers and most importantly consumers.

Table of Contents

Single-use Plastics Ban- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 3: Environment- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.

Single-use Plastics in News

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.

What is Single-use Plastic?

About: Single-use Plastic refers to plastic items that are used once and discarded. Single-use plastic has among the highest shares of plastic manufactured.
- A 2021 report by the Minderoo Foundation said single-use plastics account for a third of all plastic produced globally, with 98% manufactured from fossil fuels.
Application: Single-use Plastics are used from packaging of items, to bottles (shampoo, detergents, cosmetics), polythene bags, face masks, coffee cups, cling film, trash bags, food packaging etc.

Harmful Effects of Single-use Plastics

Environmental Impact: Plastic waste has drastic impacts on the environment and human health.
- Littered single-use plastic items have an adverse effect on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
- There is a greater likelihood of single-use plastic products ending up in the sea than reusable ones, badly affecting the ocean ecosystem.
Green House Gas (GHC): On the current trajectory of production, it has been projected that single-use plastic could account for 5-10% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Indian Initiative at UN Environment Assembly

India piloted a resolution on single-use plastics pollution at the 4th United Nations Environment Assembly in 2019, recognising the urgent need for the global community to address this issue.
- This resolution was adopted at the UN Environment Assembly as an important step forward.
In the recently concluded 5th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in March 2022, India engaged constructively with all member states to develop a consensus on a resolution to drive global action against plastic pollution.

Single-use Plastic Ban by Other Countries

India is not the first country to ban single-use plastics. As of July 2019, 68 countries have plastic bag bans with varying degrees of enforcement.
Examples:
- Bangladesh became the first country to ban thin plastic bags in 2002; New Zealand banned plastic bags in July 2019.
- China had issued a ban on plastic bags in 2020 with a phased implementation.

Plastic Waste Management Amendment rules 2021- Key Features

Prohibition on manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of following single-use plastic:
- Earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration;
- Plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.
Increasing the thickness of lightweight plastic carry bags: to 75 microns by September 2021 and 120 microns with effect from the 31st December 2022.
- This will also allow the reuse of plastic carry due to increased thickness.
Extended Producer Responsibility of the Producer, importer, and Brand owner (PIBO): They will be responsible for collecting and managing plastic packaging waste in an environmentally sustainable way.
- The 2021 rules give legal force to guidelines for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for ensuring its Effective Implementation.

Way Forward

Awareness Generation: The consumer needs to be informed about the ban through advertisements, newspaper or TV commercials, or on social media.
Investment in R&D: In order to find sustainable alternatives, companies need to invest in research and development.
Collaborative Approach: The solution to the plastic pollution problem is not the responsibility of the government alone, but of industries, brands, manufacturers and most importantly consumers.
Development and Promotion of Greener Alternatives: Finding alternatives to plastic seems a little difficult, however, greener alternatives to plastic may be considered a sustainable option.
- For example, compostable and bio-degradable plastic, etc., may be considered as an option.

Conclusion

While the total ban on the use of plastic sounds a great idea, its feasibility seems difficult at this hour, especially in the absence of workable alternatives.

Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021