On World Environment Day June 5th of 2018, the Tamil Nadu government announced a ban on non-biodegradable single-use plastic and had recommended the use of natural, environmental-friendly products. The ban came into effect from January 1 this year.The government had also recommended the restricted use of plastic for dairy products such as milk, curd, oil and medicines.

The different forms of plastics like plastic sheets for wrapping, spreading on the dining table, plastic plates, plastic coated tea cups, plastic straw have been banned. The compostable plastic carry bags can be used according to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.

“The ban of plastics caused a lot of problem. Earlier we supplied plastic carry bags free of cost for carrying the items purchased from our shops, but after the ban the Cloth bags cost around Rs.10 to 30, so we are not able to supply the bags free of cost,” said James a local shop owner of Sowripalayam.

“It is a good initiative to protect our environment. These days beautifully designed cloth, and Jute bags are available.” said Shalini a college student.

The accumulated plastic waste should be handed over to the local body or to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) registered plastic recyclers.

They are allocated for various districts such as Chennai. Erode, Karur, Krishnagiri, Kanchipuram, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, Vellore, Madurai, Pudukottai.

The alternatives for single use plastics are plantain leaves or areca nut plates, paper rolls, lotus leaves, paper straw, cloth, paper or jute bags, ceramic ware, edible cutlery, earthen pots.

New technologies have been introduced for proper management of plastic wastes.

The polymer coated bitumen is used for laying down roads in different places in India, co-processing of plastic waste as Alternative Fuel and Raw Material (AFR) in cement kilns and power plants, conversion of plastic waste into liquid refuse-derived fuel (RDF) oil.

Awareness has to be created among the people regarding the benefits of non-usage of plastics. Plastic has been banned in Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra and now Tamil Nadu has joined the list in partial ban of plastics. Karnataka is the only state to ban the complete use of plastics.