Plastic Pollution
Why it Matters?
The Supreme Court stayed the Kerala High Court's June 2025 order banning single-use plastics. The HC had initiated the case after a Kochi waste plant fire but expanded its scope under Plastic Waste Management Rules.
What You Should Know? Single-Use Plastics
SUPs are plastic items intended to be used once and discarded.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change defines SUPs based on utility and disposal rate.
India banned the manufacture, sale, and use of identified SUP items from July 1, 2022, under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (amended in 2021).
Items banned include plastic sticks for earbuds, balloons, ice cream, thermocol for decoration, cutlery, and wrapping films for sweet boxes.
The ban does not apply to plastic packaging, which is being tackled under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016
The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 were notified by the MoEFCC under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
These rules replaced the earlier Municipal Solid Waste Rules, 2000.
The rules make segregation of waste at source into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and domestic hazardous waste mandatory.
The rules apply to urban local bodies, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), industrial townships, railways, airports, and defense establishments.
Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 were notified by the MoEFCC under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, replacing the 2011 rules.
These rules introduced the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), holding producers, importers, and brand owners responsible for collecting back plastic waste.
Registration with the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) is mandatory for all plastic waste processors and producers