New Delhi, September 26: A nationwide ban on plastic is set to be implemented in India from October 2, on the day of Gandhi Jayanti. Once the ban is in place, single-use plastic including plastic bags, cups, straws among other items will be out from cities and villages. From October 2, which also happens to be the birth anniversary Mahatma Gandhi, a nationwide ban on as many as six items will be imposed. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a big push to environmental concerns and pledged to phase out single-use plastic from the nation by 2022.

In line with government policy, the plastic products that will be banned across the nation include plastic bags, cups, plates, small bottles, straws and certain types of sachets. The items also include plastic shopping bags with or without handle. Single use disposable items made of thermocol like cups, plates, saucers, spoons and straws have also been banned. Reports inform that the use of plastic and thermocol for decoration purpose has also been banned. Alternatives for Plastic Ban: These Soluble Bags Made From Potato and Organic Waste Could Be a Good Option. 

Amid growing concerns of plastic pollution, some states have already outlawed polythene bags. The ban on the six items is aimed to reduce the 14 million tons of annual consumption in India by 5-10%. The ban is believed to be comprehensive and will cover manufacturing, usage and import of such items.

With the ban into effect from October 2, the government is likely to insist consumers on the use of recyclable plastic only. In his Independence Day speech, the Prime Minister urged people of the nation to take the 'first big step' towards scraping single-use plastic by October 2. Around 50% of single-use plastic products end up in the ocean harming the marine life and entering the human food chain. Moreover, the European Union plans to ban single-use plastic items such as straws, forks, knives and cotton buds by 2021. Indian Railways Install 1st Plastic Bottle Crushing Machine in Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express.

Plastic bottle takes between 450-1000 years to decompose and has a deadly impact on the environment. In May this year, Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan pointed out that 25, 940 tonnes of plastic waste is generated every day in the country, with 40% of plastic waste being uncollected and 60 million tonnes of solid waste is generated in one year.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 26, 2019 03:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).