India criteria-based ban on 19 single-use plastic (SUP) items is being hailed as a model for global policy, especially as negotiations continue under the United Nations’ Global Plastic Pollution Treaty. The move, based on scientific assessment and socio-economic considerations, is now positioning India as a key global advocate for a plastic-free future.
The framework developed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, evaluated 40 single-use plastic items and identified 19 for immediate ban. Items such as plastic straws, carry bags, earbuds, stirrers, and small packaging films are now prohibited across production, distribution, and usage.
India structured approach aligns with global treaty negotiations chaired by Louis Vayas Valdivieso. Concepts such as littering tendency, environmental hazard, availability of alternatives, and recyclability were used as common benchmarks many drawn directly from India’s method.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), single-use plastics contribute 36% of global plastic production, with 85% being mismanaged. If countries delay action the world could face up to $2.5 trillion in mismanagement costs by 2040. On the other hand, early bans could save around $12 billion in waste management and spark a $15 billion alternatives market.
But bans alone are not enough viable alternatives must be promoted alongside regulation. India’s model includes emphasis on market-ready and eco-conscious replacements for daily plastic use.
Some popular alternatives to single-use plastic include:
•Cloth, jute, or paper bags instead of plastic carry bags
•Steel, glass, or copper bottles replacing disposable plastic bottles
•Bamboo or stainless steel straws, or compostable paper straws
•Wooden and edible cutlery instead of plastic forks and spoons
•Glass containers or steel lunch boxes replacing plastic tiffins
•Beeswax wraps and silicone lids as substitutes for cling film
•Bamboo toothbrushes over plastic ones
•Areca leaf plates and paper cups instead of plastic tableware
•Mushroom-based, paper pulp, or corn-starch packaging in place of thermocol and bubble wrap
•Cloth pads and menstrual cups replacing plastic-based sanitary products
India comprehensive model not only eliminates harmful materials but also fosters innovation in sustainable alternatives. Its ban goes beyond consumer products to include packaging films and items with low utility and high environmental impact.
By setting science-based standards and investing in market transition, India is paving the way for a global shift. With over 140 countries seeking a common roadmap, India’s domestic success may serve as the foundation for global bans under the forthcoming treaty.
As the global community faces a plastic crisis, India clear message is: regulation must be matched with innovation a plastic-free planet is only possible if sustainable choices are made accessible to all.
By: Vaishali Verma