India's Single-Use Plastic Ban
Scope and Legal Framework
India banned 19 categories of single-use plastic items (SUPs) with effect from July 1, 2022, under the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021, notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The banned items include plastic sticks for balloons and flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) decoration items, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery (forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays), wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns, and stirrers.
- Enforcement responsibility lies with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), and the police.
- Manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of these items are all prohibited.
- Violations attract penalties under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (up to 5 years imprisonment and/or fine up to ₹1 lakh).
- The minimum thickness for plastic carry bags was raised to 120 microns (from 75 microns) to support reuse.
● Tracked since March 25, 2026 · last seen April 05, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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