India bans single-use plastic

India's ban on a range of single use plastics, which came into effect on 1st July, aims to reduce the waste choking rivers and poisoning wildlife.

India's responsible for around four million tons of plastic waste every year, a third of which can't be easily recycled and ends up in waterways and landfill. This landfill regularly catches fire and contributes to further air pollution.

Dr Suneel Panday works at the Energy and Resources Institute.

Dr Suneel Pandey: "The problem is this 30 percent which is not collected, which is no value plastic, and in other terms can be called as single-use plastics."

Although experts predict the ban will result in some job losses, it'll also see a boom in plastic-alternative industries. Rhea Mazumdar Singhal's led the way, founding Ecoware over a decade ago. It specialises in producing food packaging from corn waste.

Rhea Mazumdar Singhal: "I just thought, things needed to change for humanity and the environment – and that's really how Ecoware was born.

"We wanted to create a product that was safe for humanity to eat their food out of. By that I mean that it doesn't change the nutritional value of the food that you put in it. Secondly, it had to be safe for the environment. So it wasn't going to sit in a landfill and it's not going to outlive you forever."

Cows munching on plastic are a common sight in Indian cities and plastic's even been found in the dung of wild elephants. Faced with these challenges, the ban covering production, import and sale of objects like straws, cups and ear buds marks a first step. A wider-ranging ban is hoped for.

Rhea Mazumdar Singhal: "Think about from the time you have woken up today, how much plastic you have touched or came in contact with. So, it has become an integral part of our lives. It is absolutely everywhere. But we have to be cognizant about climate change. We have to be cognizant about our reliance on fossil fuels, the fact that these are things that we need to move away from."

Those who are opposed to the ban claim that consumers will resist paying higher prices for eco alternatives. Yet those who flout the rules will be served with severe punishments. They'll face fines of $1,300 or 5 year jail terms. View Less