2nd October 2019! This is a red-letter day for India’s environment, as we are set to ban plastic. At least the single-use kind. But it’s a start.

Making India Plastic Free

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also received applause at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as he told the world that India was initiating a very large campaign to make the country a plastic-free nation.

Addressing the 74th session of the UNGA in New York, Modi called for the UN to be free of single-use plastic. “I am pleased to inform this, even as I am addressing you today, a very large campaign is being started across the entire country to make India free of single-use plastic,” Modi said.

McDonald’s, Parle Agro all set to go plastic-free

Many big brands and companies have taken a step forward to stop the use of single-use plastics. They have already started looking for alternatives to it and have started to recycle PET waste.

Westlife Development Ltd. (WDL), that runs over 300 McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India, have already replaced their plastic spoons, forks, and knives with wooden cutlery. They will soon fully substitute all products with eco-friendly ones.

Another brand, Parle Agro, the maker of Frooti and Appy Fizz, plans to achieve 100% recycling of plastic waste starting in October 2019. It will also invest Rs 50 crore over the next three years to implement a PET plastic waste management (PWM) program.

India’s Food Delivery business may be hit

Meanwhile, some of the sectors may have to face repercussions of the plastic ban. India’s food services delivery business is concerned as the operating costs will go up after the ban.

“We may stop delivery of items temporarily if a sweeping ban is announced on October 2,” said SS Aggarwal, managing director of Bikanervala Foods. “We are exploring all possible options, but it takes time to put these in place, and will resume delivery when we find other options.”

Plastics, a poison for the earth

Single-use plastics are nearly found in every household and shops because of their low production costs and durability. But what people don’t know is that they take up to 500 years to decompose! It is not even surprising that the Indian Ocean is the world’s biggest dumping ground for plastic waste.

Single-use plastic bags are not even recyclable, hence, proving they are deadly for the environment, animals and human beings.

Here are the lists of plastic items which will be banned after 2nd October

1. Less than 200ml drinking water PET/PETE bottle
2. Plastic mineral water pouch
3. Plastic bags
4. One time use/ single-use disposal items made of Thermocol or plastics
5. Disposal dish or bowl used for packaging food
6. Use of plastics and thermocol for decoration purposes

Though some of the items can still be used:

1. PET/PETE bottles having liquid capacity having 200ml or more
2. Manufacture of plastic and plastic bags for export purposes
3. Plastic packaging material with more than 50-micron thickness with a minimum of 2 grams of weight
4. Compostable plastic bags used for plant nurseries and agriculture
5. Paper-based carton packing with more than one layer
6. Recyclable multilayered plastics
7. Plastics used for domestic purposes

Penalties under the ban will start after an initial 6 months with a fine of Rs. 5000 as a first-time offense, Rs. 10000 for the second time and a three months imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 25000 for the third time.