October 2, 2024, New Delhi: As the government marks 10 years of Swachh Bharat Mission, celebrating that citizens are realizing the importance of 'Waste to Wealth', the continued use of plastic as packaging material for snacks, biscuits, etc., needs more action. Very few manufacturers have switched to recyclable packaging for popular snacks like chips and other savories. Most continue to use plastic-based wrappers/ packets that are discarded everywhere by consumers, choking drains and landing in waste heaps. Even when collected, they are difficult to recycle.

Plastic pollution has a severe impact on the environment and a costly impact on society, estimated at around $139 billion per annum. Its effective management is hindered by the lack of segregation, as different types require specific recycling technologies. India could lose over $133 billion worth of material value used in plastic packaging by 2030, according to a report by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Uncollected plastic packaging waste accounts for $68 billion of this loss. This alarming fact led to the central government decision to disallow the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of identified single-use plastic (SUP) items that have low utility and high littering potential from July 1, 2022. The government identified 21 SUP items to be phased out.

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, on August 12, 2021. These included (i) carry bags (specifying minimum thickness in case of polythene bags and minimum weight in case of non-woven bags); (ii) plastic sticks; (iii) packaging/wrapping films; (iv) cutlery items, and (v) other items that include PVC banners, plastic flags, polystyrene for decoration (thermocol), straws, plastic sheet, and pan masala packet.

The implementation of the ban, however, lies with the state governments and their state pollution control boards, thus it is not uniform. The states can and do modify the rules as they deem fit. The result is not much has changed in most states and cities despite the law in place since 2022. The irony is that while Supreme Court had raised concerns about the plastic litter dotting the landscape across the country more than a decade back and got the central government to heed environment concerns yet at the several high courts have reversed the state government ban on use of non-woven plastic bags while directing the state authorities to do more for plastic waste management.

Meanwhile, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has also launched an app (SUP-CPCB) to encourage citizens to act as watchdogs and help authorities to take appropriate action against violators. However, as the app is not user-friendly, it has not been able to gain much citizens' support.

The LocalCircles through a national survey has strived to gauge citizens’ views on plastic packaging waste and what they seek in terms of a durable solution. The survey received over 22,000 responses from citizens located in 305 districts of India. 68% respondents were men while 32% respondents were women. 46% respondents were from tier 1, 33% from tier 2 and 21% respondents were from tier 3 & 4 districts.

Wrapper of chip, namkeen, candies, biscuits, etc., and plastic bottles of water/ soft drinks are commonly seen by most Indians on streets and footpaths in their area/ district

The survey first asked, “What all discarded single food packaging do you commonly see on the streets/footpaths in your area/district/ city?” Some among the 11,470 respondents to this query indicated more than one kind of plastic waste. The largest group of 86% indicated wrappers of chips/namkeen/ candies/ biscuits; another 86% indicated plastic bottles of water/ soft drink/ juices; 77% indicated poly packs of various drinks; 68% pointed to wrappers of gutkha/ pan masala and cigarette boxes; 45% indicated pouches of dairy products (milk, curd, etc.,); 14% stated other products and only 14% of respondents stated “don’t see any of the above where I live”. To sum up, wrapper of chip, namkeen, candies, biscuits, etc., and plastic bottles of water/ soft drinks are commonly seen by most Indians on streets and footpaths in their area/ district.

8 in 10 Indians surveyed want government to make it mandatory for all packaged foods to have packaging that is recyclable, compostable, biodegradable or reusable by end of 2025

The survey next asked citizens, “Should India make it mandatory for all packaged foods to have packaging that is recyclable, compostable, biodegradable or reusable by the end of 2025?” This query was answered by 19,890 respondents with 80% stating that “yes, absolutely” the government should make it mandatory for food companies to use only recyclable, compostable, biodegradable or reusable packing by the end of 2025”; 12% of respondents indicated the deadline of 2025 is “not practical”; 4% felt the idea itself is bad and another 4% did not give a clear response. To sum up, 8 in 10 Indians surveyed want government to make it mandatory for all packaged foods to have packaging that is recyclable, compostable, biodegradable or reusable by end of 2025.

In summary, as the problem of plastic waste is mounting alarmingly despite central government’s effort to cut down single use plastics, it is time that manufacturers are dissuaded to stop use of plastics in the packaging unless they are recyclable, compostable, biodegradable or reusable plastics. 8 in 10 of respondents want that eco-friendly plastics alone should be used for packing food products and drinks by the end of 2025. There must be some accountability at the state level also to ensure that all are making the same efforts to minimize use of non-degradable products. It is time the central government and the state governments work in tandem and with manufacturers of packaged foods, such that use of non-eco-friendly plastics, atleast in food packaging is minimized.

Survey Demographics

The survey received over 22,000 responses from citizens located in 305 districts of India. 68% respondents were men while 32% respondents were women. 46% respondents were from tier 1, 33% from tier 2 and 21% respondents were from tier 3 & 4 districts. The survey was conducted via LocalCircles platform, and all participants were validated citizens who had to be registered with LocalCircles to participate in this survey.