NEW DELHI: Only about 2,500 of India's 4,700 urban local bodies (ULBs) have announced a ban on single-use plastic (SUP) as of July 1, forcing the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to push them to phase out SUP and contribute to the overarching clean and green agenda.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), 2,591 out of 4,704 ULBs have already reported notification of the SUP ban, so states and UTs must ensure that the remaining 2,100-plus ULBs do so by June 30, the Ministry said on Saturday, the eve of World Environment Day.

Plastic waste management, particularly the removal of SUP, is a key focal area for the Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban 2.0.

The Ministry has also issued a thorough recommendation to states and UTs, urging them to engage in many initiatives, including large-scale cleaning and plogging campaigns, with a focus on plastic trash collection, as well as large-scale tree-planting campaigns involving all people.

The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of carry-bags made of virgin or recycled plastic less than 75 microns (i.e. 0.075 mm in thickness) has been banned with effect from September 30, 2021, as opposed to the 50 microns recommended earlier under the Plastic Waste Management (Amended) Rules, 2016.

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