Status of Ban on Single-Use Plastic

Summary of Parliamentary Question on Single-Use Plastic Ban

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, provided an update on the status of the ban on single-use plastic items and the efforts undertaken for their elimination and effective plastic waste management across India.

• Formation of Task Forces:

  • All thirty-six States and Union Territories (UTs) have established a Special Task Force.
  • The task force is chaired by high-ranking officials such as Chief Secretaries, Administrators, or Principal Secretaries, depending on the state's requirement.
  • Membership includes representatives from relevant government departments and pollution control boards.

• National Taskforce:

  • The Ministry has set up a National Level Taskforce for coordinated efforts to eliminate identified single-use plastic items and for the effective implementation of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.

• Enforcement Measures:

  • States and UTs have been mandated to initiate regular enforcement drives to uphold the ban on single-use plastic items and on plastic carry bags with a thickness of less than 120 microns.
  • Enforcement actions include regular inspections conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB), Pollution Control Committees (PCC), and local authorities.

• Inspection Statistics:

  • From July 2022 to July 2025, a total of 861,740 inspections have been performed nationwide.
  • During these inspections, 1,985 tonnes of banned single-use plastic items have been seized.
  • A total of Rs. 19.82 crores has been collected as fines from violators.

• Government Commitment:

  • The government continues to prioritize the elimination of single-use plastics in alignment with environmental sustainability and public health guidelines.

This comprehensive approach reflects the government's commitment to environmental protection and responsible waste management in response to the challenges posed by plastic pollution.

Key Points:

• Establishment of Special Task Force in all 36 States/UTs.
• National Level Taskforce formed for coordinated plastic waste management efforts.
• Regular enforcement drives are mandated for compliance with the ban.
• 861,740 inspections conducted; 1,985 tonnes of banned plastics seized.
• Rs. 19.82 crores collected in fines from violations from July 2022 to July 2025.
• Ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability by the government.