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Why Municipal Corporations are not able to stop the Banned ‘Single Use Plastics’ (SUPs)?
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....hy Municipal Corporations are not able to stop the Banned ‘Single Use Plastics’ (SUPs)?<br>By: - YAGAY andSUN<br>Environmental Law<br>Dated:- 22-5-2025<br>Municipal Corporations in India often struggle to effectively stop the use of Single Use Plastics (SUPs) due to a combination of practical, legal, economic, and systemic challenges, despite their legal authority to regulate waste and enforce environmental laws. Here's a breakdown of the key reasons: ⚖️ 1. Limited Enforcement Power and Resources * Municipal Corporations lack sufficient manpower, trained personnel, and infrastructure to enforce SUP bans effectively across sprawling urban areas. * Enforcement actions like fines, inspections, and seizures require co....
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....ordinated effort, which many corporations cannot sustain consistently. 📜 2. Weak Implementation of State and Central Policies * Though the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (amended in 2021 and 2022) ban specific SUP items, their implementation largely falls on local bodies. * Many states and cities have inconsistent enforcement, and there is often a disconnect between policy announcements and ground-level action. 🏭 3. Ubiquity and Economic Dependence * SUPs are cheap, lightweight, and widely used, especially by small vendors, hawkers, and local businesses. * There is often resistance from local industries and shopkeepers who depend on SUPs for packaging, citing lack of cost-effective alternatives. 🚫 4.....
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.... Poor Availability of Alternatives * Alternatives to SUPs like cloth or paper bags are either costlier or less durable, and supply chains for sustainable packaging are not fully developed, especially in smaller towns. * Municipalities struggle to promote or subsidize eco-friendly alternatives at scale. 💸 5. Political and Social Pushback * Crackdowns on SUPs often face backlash from traders' associations, small vendors, or even elected representatives fearing loss of voter support. * This can lead to hesitation or soft enforcement of bans, especially in market areas. 📉 6. Inadequate Waste Management Infrastructure * Even when bans are in place, lack of proper segregation, collection, and recycling systems resu....
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....lts in continued circulation and dumping of SUPs. * Informal sector waste-pickers may not have the incentive to segregate and collect low-value plastics. 🧾 7. Legal Loopholes and Confusion * The definition of what constitutes SUPs can be unclear or inconsistently interpreted. * Manufacturers sometimes mislabel or slightly alter products to claim exemption from bans. 🧠 8. Low Public Awareness and Behaviour Change * Many citizens are not fully aware of the SUP ban, or do not understand its environmental impact. * Changing consumer behaviour is a long-term challenge that requires consistent public education campaigns. *** A case study of a city that has successfully implemented an SUP ban. A notable example of a ....
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....city in India successfully implementing a ban on single-use plastics (SUPs) is Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh. The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has taken significant steps to reduce plastic waste, positioning the city as a leader in environmental sustainability. 🌟 Visakhapatnam's Success in Banning Single-Use Plastics 1. Comprehensive Policy Implementation * On June 5, coinciding with World Environment Day, GVMC announced a complete ban on SUPs, including items like plastic carry bags, plates, cups, and cutlery. * The ban was enforced starting January 1, 2025, with a clear communication strategy involving public announcements and countdown campaigns. 2. Public Awareness and Community Engagemen....
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....t * GVMC organized the 'Saagara Theera Swachhata' beach clean-up program on the first Sunday of every month, fostering community participation. * Public education campaigns encouraged residents to adopt reusable alternatives, such as cloth bags and steel containers. 3. Enforcement and Compliance * The GVMC deployed 30 ward volunteers equipped with uniforms and vehicles to monitor compliance and penalize offenders. * The municipal corporation also collaborated with local traders and vendors to ensure the availability of eco-friendly alternatives and to facilitate a smooth transition away from SUPs. 4. Supportive Infrastructure and Alternatives * Efforts were made to promote the use of biodegradable and reusable materials, providi....
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....ng incentives for businesses to adopt sustainable practices. * The city worked towards enhancing recycling facilities to manage waste effectively and reduce environmental impact. 🏆 Outcomes and Recognition * Visakhapatnam has seen a significant reduction in the use of SUPs, with residents and vendors increasingly adopting sustainable alternatives. * The city's initiatives have garnered recognition from environmental organizations and have set a benchmark for other municipalities in India. 🔍 Challenges and Considerations * Despite the progress, challenges remain, such as ensuring consistent enforcement and addressing the availability and affordability of alternative materials. * Continuous public education and....
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.... infrastructure development are essential to maintain and build upon the success achieved. Visakhapatnam's approach demonstrates that with comprehensive planning, community involvement, and strong enforcement, municipalities can effectively reduce the use of single-use plastics and promote environmental sustainability. ✅ Municipal Corporations Can Do More by: * Strengthening enforcement through dedicated anti-plastic squads. * Promoting and subsidizing eco-friendly alternatives. * Running sustained public awareness campaigns. * Partnering with NGOs and private players for innovation in alternatives. * Establishing extended producer responsibility (EPR) enforcement with state help.<br> Scholarly articles for knowledge s....
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....haring by authors, experts, professionals ....