This article describes about the Indian Govt.'s recent ban on single use plastics from 1st July 2022. How India can emulate Rwanda model of plastic ban in India by adopting the implementation tactics? How Rwanda becomes one of the cleanest country in the world and recognised by the UN. In this article different suggestions are given how India can successfully Implement the ban. As India is celebrating the 75th years of Independence, all people of India should solemnly resolved to constitute India into a plastic free India in next 5 to 10 years.

1. How India can Replicate Rwanda model
for successful ban on single use plastics
Written by Narendra Kabi
1. Ban of Single use plastic in India
India imposed a ban on manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of identified
single use plastic (SUP) items, which have low utility and high littering potential, all across
the country from July 1, 2022.
The list of banned items includes ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons,
plastic flags, candy sticks, ice- cream sticks, polystyrene (Thermocol) for decoration, plastic
plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing
films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than
100 micron, stirrers.
Over the past decade, successive Indian governments have been working towards reducing
the use of single-use plastics through various policy measures. From bans to waste-to-energy
plants, recycling, multiple strategies have been formulated to tackle the growing plastic
menace, but have had little impact on ground. Time to time many states Govt. has
implemented ban on some items of plastics but on ground it is not being followed because the
local agencies are not stringent, no awareness to last mile people and partnership with people
through activities missing in earlier implementations.
2. Reason for banning SUP
Waste has become a major source of pollution in India, the world’s second most populous
country. As per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) annual report 2020-21 India
generates annually around 3.5million TPA of plastic waste.
The adverse impacts of littered single use plastic items are blocking of water channels;
preventing water from infiltrating the soil; threatening biodiversity in water bodies like lakes

2. and rivers; clogging of drainage systems, which triggers flooding; and air pollution from the
burning of plastics. Addressing pollution due to single use plastic items has become an
important environmental challenge confronting all countries.
In the recently concluded 5th session of United Nations Environment Assembly in March
2022, India engaged constructively with all member states to develop consensus on the
resolution for driving global action on plastic pollution.
3. Action Initiated through Amended plastic waste management rule and Ban by
Govt. of India
Monitoring by CPCB: The ban will be monitored by the CPCB from the centre and by the
state pollution control boards (SPCBs) that will report to centre regularly.
Stop raw materials Supply: Directions have been issued at national, state and local level to
not supply raw materials to the industries which are producing the banned items.
Direction to Industries: SPCBs and pollution control committees will modify or revoke
consent to operate issued under air/water act to industries engaged in single use plastic items.
Fresh licensing required: Local authorities have been directed to issue fresh commercial
licenses with the condition that SUP items will not be sold on their premises, and existing
commercial licenses will be cancelled if they are found to be selling the banned items.
Encouraging compostable plastics: CPCB has issued one time certificates to manufacturers
of compostable plastic and the BIS passed standards for biodegradable plastics.
Penalty: Those found violating the ban can be penalized under the environment protection
Act 1986 which calls for imprisonment up to 5 years or penalty up to Rs 1 lakh or both.
Violators can also be asked to pay Environmental Damage Compensation by SPCB.
Amended EPR policy: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has also
notified the Guidelines on Extended Producers Responsibility on plastic packaging as Plastic
Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022 on 16th February, 2022. Extended Producer
Responsibility (EPR) is responsibility of a producer for the environmentally sound
management of the product until the end of its life. The Guidelines will provide framework to
strengthen circular economy of plastic packaging waste, promote development of new
alternatives to plastic packaging and provide next steps for moving towards sustainable
plastic packaging by businesses.
Workshops for Alternatives: Capacity building workshops are being organized for MSME
units to provide them technical assistance for manufacturing of alternatives to banned single
use plastic items with the involvement of CPCB/SPCBs/PCCs along with Ministry of Small
Micro and Medium Enterprises and Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering (CIPET)
and their state centres. Provisions have also been made to support such enterprises in
transitioning away from banned single use plastics.
Grievance Portal: CPCB Grievance Redressal App has been launched to empower citizens
to help curb plastic menace. For wider public outreach, PRAKRITI - mascot was also
launched on 5th April.

3. 4. How Rwanda in Africa successfully implemented ban on single use plastics
In 2008, the Rwanda parliament established the Law N57/2008 of 10 September 2008
relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use and sale of polyethylene bags in
Rwanda. This law was later extended to include additional single-use plastic items in Law
No.17/2019 of 10 August 2019.
This ban was implemented using various channels
Campaign and awareness: The government began campaigns on television, radio and print
aimed at raising community awareness and behavior change on the negative impacts that
plastic has on human health, and biodiversity, as well as on community development. There
are flight announcements before flying and landing in Rwanda, of which the announcements
stated ‘please refrain from bringing plastic bags to Rwanda'.
Involvement and partnership with communities: Govt. had tried for training and making
participation of different stakeholders like school environmental clubs, environmental
committees, and different stakeholders in the private sector, revenue authorities, local
government, standards bureau, and security sector.
Action through Mass activity: Govt. has organized activities during the national
environment weeks, countrywide inspection of the illegal use of plastic bags, community
work (Umuganda), ‘Beat Plastic Pollution Walk’ in Kigali during Car Free Day, media
campaigns and roadside billboards (FONERWA, 2018). There were also ‘Green Drinks
Kigali’ discussions on plastic management, exhibitions on plastic recycling.
Strict control at Boarders: The ban was further enforced by strict control at the borders and
at all the country’s entry points, along with regular enforcement inspections.

4. Law Enforcement: The law states that any person found manufacturing, selling or using
prohibited polyethylene bags shall be dispossessed of their bags, and the bags shall be taken
to the appropriate stores established by Rwanda Environment management
Authority(REMA). In the case of repeated incidents, the penalty shall be doubled.
Exemption: The law banning plastic bags allows exceptions for packaging of meat, chicken,
fish and milled cassava leaves because it makes it easier to refrigerate them. Furthermore, the
law states that the list of polyethylene bags shall be updated at any time where it is deemed
necessary. Single-use plastic items which are already ordered or in stock are exempted from
the application of this Law within three (3) months from the commencement of the Law. The
existing factories in Rwanda manufacturing single-use plastic items must cope with the
provisions of this Law within two (2) years from the date of publication of this law in the
Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda.
Moving to Alternative: Since introducing the law banning plastic bags, the Rwandan
government began supporting local factories that started the transition to producing materials
made out of bamboo and paper, as well as other alternatives to plastic. While Rwanda
introduced paper as a biodegradable alternative, the material comes with its own set of
environmental challenges. Paper has been said to be a significant contributor to deforestation.
The Global Forest Resources Assessment (2020) reported "an estimated 178 million hectares
of forest has been lost worldwide through deforestation since 1990." In response to this, the
country has developed progressive reforestation plans to restore the environment. One of
these being a 10-year tree planting initiative that aims to “focus on monitoring tree growth
and impact on ecosystems and biodiversity”.
Frequency in waste collection from Markets: Govt. had set up each market area and
parking stops with dustbins and increased the frequency for collection of wastes from market
which encourages the people to not use plastics.
Inclusion of plastic policy in school curriculum: Govt. also started initiative to include the
plastic policy within the country’s basic education curriculum, and addressing the plastic bag
black market.
Penalty: In addition to this, local governments can fine manufacturers, retailers, and
importers up to FRW 5,000,000 (USD 5,128.21), if they violate the single-use plastic
legislation (Republic of Rwanda, 2019).
The plastic bag ban has boosted the tourism industry in Rwanda, which is a significant
contributor to the country’s economy. The resulting ban has seen Kigali become renowned as
the cleanest city in Africa.
5. How India can adopt some effective steps to implement the ban successful:
Campaign, Awareness and Public participation through activities: All state Governments
and central govt. of India should jointly promote the adverse impact of use of plastic to our
environment in radio, print, televisions and ask people to join hands for reduce, reuse, refuse
of plastic use. Govt. should emulate Rwanda’s Umuganda model which calls in last Saturday
of every month all able –bodied people age group between 18-65 should come out of their
house for a particular time period and clean the streets and nearby areas failing to which
people should be penalized.

5. Govt. should conduct and promote zero plastic waste campaign through marathon, tree
plantation, cleaning events like the Prime minister asked for light up of lamp during lock
down in Corona days.
Announcement of plastic ban in flights, train platforms, bus stands should be done like
corona advisory during corona days.
Inclusion of plastic waste policy in school curriculum: For making plastic free
environment, we have to make ready our future generation aware of impact of plastic to our
environment. Plastic waste management policy should be included in school curriculum.
Exhibition: Govt. should conduct Recycling and Plastic alternative exhibitions in district
level in regular interval of times.
Giving incentives and promote rapid shift of existing SUP factories to alternate reusable or
natural packing industries.
Mechanism for waste collection: Proper Installation of dustbins in every public spot and
markets at approachable distance should be done. Increase frequency of waste collection in
markets, public gathering spots, bus stops, railway stations to promote zero plastic use.
Mandatory laws for daily Thelas/movable food carts: Make mandatory for daily movable
stores to either shift for reusable cutlery to serve people or use biodegradable cutleries to
serve people. The responsibility to collect and safe disposal of biodegradable waste generated
by stalls will be the stall owners.
Monitoring for plastic imports in border areas: After single use plastic ban there may be a
chance of black marketing for single use plastics from borders. Enforcement agencies in
coordination with border forces have to be vigilant in border areas also.
Recognize informal plastic collector: Plastic waste collector plays a crucial role in
collecting and segregating recyclable plastic waste, ensuring environmental safety despite the
dismal compensation and health risks. Govt. has to recognize informal waste picker for better
coordination between recycling centers and waste pickers. Give identification and free
facilities of Govt. schemes to the waste pickers.
According to declaration for the 5th session of the UN Environmental Assembly which call
on member states to institute Extended Producers Responsibility norms which prescribe
corporations and producers who are responsible for plastics pollution to partner with the
waste-pickers and waste-pickers’ organizations for plastic waste management and to take into
consideration the EPR position of the Global Alliance of Waste-pickers.
Implement NITI Ayog report on waste wise cities model in every district and municipal
level.
Solution for Existing plastic wastes: Use existing plastic wastes in road constructions, use
for building material bricks, fuel production, etc to eradicate and clean the existing plastic
menace in India. Set up recycling centres for high density plastics waste in every municipal
areas and collection centres in every block level.

6. Transformation of FMCG sector: The big producers i.e. FMCG industry must take
responsibility for the plastic problem and re-evaluate its dependency on single use plastics.
Convert FMCG market for sustainable packaging. Govt. must encourage FMCG companies
for establishing research centres for alternative natural packaging like some of the companies
are doing in the world for e.g. IKEA, Veuve, Rhythm 108, etc. Study should be done on Poly
vinyl alcohol (PVA) film for detergent packaging.
FMCG companies has to think about setting up of refilling centres in each states and a
mechanism of distribution should be established so that liquid items and detergents can be
refilled from the local shops in a reusable bottle like in villages we buy daily edible oil from a
shop in a glass bottle.
Proper Composting of Bio Plastics: The Govt. of India made a provision for bio plastic in
the plastic waste management rule 2022 second amendment. Studies in the world states if bio
plastics are not correctly disposed of at their end of life, they will cause just as much damage
to our land and marine environments as traditional petrochemical-based plastic litter. Govt.
should comes with a mechanism for proper disposal and composting of bio plastic.
In this world every action has positive and negative impacts. The negative impact due to the
ban in single use plastic may increase the packaging price for the products. But govt. can
convert this negative impact by creating more opportunities and jobs with promoting
innovation and research in the field of alternative product to plastics. More studies should be
done for ancient methods of living life styles. In this moment the best way is to reduce, reuse
and refuse plastic use in daily life for sustainability of Environment. Lets worship the God
through nature.
References
1. https://quest4action.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Rwanda_Presentation.pdf
2. https://www.no-burn.org/wp-content/uploads/Rwanda_A-global-leader-in-plastic-pollution-
reduction_April-2021.pdf
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4. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1837518
5. https://cpcb.nic.in/annual-report/
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year-and-an-average-american-109-kg-60745
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9. https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-12/Waste-Wise-Cities.pdf
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11. https://www.fao.org/3/CA8753EN/CA8753EN.pdf
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20Law%20n172019%20of%2010082019%20prohibition%20of%20manufacturing,%20import
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use%20plastic%20items.pdf

7. 13. https://www.iucn.org/news/environmental-law/202104/waste-pickers-role-plastic-
pollution-reduction-ones-we-cannot-leave-behind
14. https://www.longdom.org/open-access/break-free-from-plastics-environmental-
perspectives-and-lessons-from-rwanda-68106.html