Single use plastic faces complete ban from July 1, Straws to earbuds off the racks

Ending speculation on various items and deadlines, the Ministry of Environment has notified that all single-use plastic items will be banned from July 1. 

“India will ban manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of identified single-use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, all across the country from July 1, 2022," the statement from the Ministry said. 

Items To Be Banned From July 1:

• Balloon sticks
• Cigarette packs
• Cutlery items including plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, trays
• Earbuds
• Sweet boxes
• Invitation cards

With this move, India moves in line with Canada which also banned single-use plastic nationwide but has given a deadline of December 2022 for implementation.