What plastic items are banned in Karnataka?

In March 2016, Karnataka government had issued a notification which almost completely banned plastic products, with certain exceptions. This notification was based on Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986.

As per the notification, “No person including shopkeeper, vendor, wholesaler, retailer, trader, hawker, or salesman etc, shall use plastic carry bags, plastic banners, plastic buntings, flex, plastic flags, plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic spoons, cling films  and plastic sheets (for spreading on dining table) used in functions for serving food items, irrespective of thickness.” Also, these items should not be manufactured, transported or distributed.

The notification defined ‘plastics’ as items made out of polypropylene (PP), non-woven polypropylene, multi-layered co-extruded polypropylene, polyethene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high- and low-density polyethene (HDPE and LDPE), polystyrene (thermocol), polyamides (Nylon), poly terephthalate (PT), polymethyl methacrylate (PMM), and plastic microbeads.

Here is a list of items with a list of banned products

Plastic Bags

These include plastic bags with or without handles, garbage bags, bags made of  polypropylene compostable and biodegradable bags, and bin liners. The ban however, states the plastics used for the following  purposes and circumstances are exempted from this notification:

• The plastic carry bags manufactured exclusively for export purposes against any expert orders in a plastic industry located in Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Units
• The plastic bags which constitute or form an integral part of packaging in which goods are sealed prior to use at manufacturing / processing units
• The plastic bags and sheets used in Forestry and Horticulture nurseries against the orders from the Government Department or from the firms concerned
• The plastic used for packing of milk and milk products (dairy products)

In 2018, the Government of Karnataka, issued a Corrigendum Notification, which stated that “Plastic bag”, means bags made from plastic material or compostable plastic material, used for the purpose of carrying or dispensing commodities but do not include bags that constitute or form an integral part of the packaging in which goods are sealed prior to use. 

On Compostable Bags

As per an Indian Express report, in May 2019, KSPCB wrote to the CPCB, urging them to not certify ‘compostable plastic’ bags manufactured in Karnataka, since these had been banned by the State. KSPCB further requested that the certification should include a condition that these bags should not be sold in Karnataka.

KSPCB’s request was based on advice from BBMP and the city’s waste management experts, after a series of raids on restaurants and vendors. The raids had indicated that there was no foolproof method to distinguish compostable plastic, and fake products might be used. Additionally, the State plastic ban does not exempt any products and was introduced to reduce the solid waste generated in the city, KSPCB said.

Plastic Banners, Buntings and Flex

 In 2018, the Karnataka High Court had announced the ban on flex banners. Individuals, firms and other organisations can be prosecuted under the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1981 https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/7899/1/35_of_1982_%28e%29.pdf

Cling Films 

While the 2016  ban , specially mentioned ban of cling films, in a Twitter post, the then SWM Commissioner clarified that all vendors, using cling films to wrap produce will also be penalised as per the BBMP Solid Waste Management Bye-laws

Plastic Plate, Cups, Spoons and Straws

The 2016, notification, banned plastic plates, cups and spoons and In 2018, the Government of Karnataka, issued a Corrigendum Notification, to include plastic straws

Plastic Flags

Plastic Sheets: for spreading on the dining table used in functions for serving food items, irrespective of thickness.

Plastic used to wrap flowers and bouquets: In 2021, the State Government has also issued an order regarding a ban on fruits, garlands and bouquets at any official programs throughout the state

Note:

In 2021 the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change notified the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Amendment Rules, 2021, to phase out certain types of single-use plastics by 2022. The ban applies to the manufacture, sale, use, import and handling of some plastic items.

Accordingly, these items are also banned in Karnataka

• Earbuds with plastic sticks
• Plastic sticks for balloons,candy sticks,and ice-cream sticks
• Polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration
• Plastic glasses, cutlery such as forks, knives,trays,and stirrers
• Wrapping films around sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets

References