To combat waste, India has banned the use of numerous single-use plastics

Experts predict that India’s ban on many single-use plastics on Friday (Jul 1) will encounter tremendous challenges from unprepared firms and consumers who are unwilling to pay more for products.

A third of the country’s four million tons of plastic waste is thrown away and ends up in waterways and landfills, which frequently catch fire and contribute to air pollution, according to the World Resources Institute.

Elephant dung samples from the northern forests of Uttarakhand state have been shown to contain plastic residue, which is widespread in Indian cities.

According to estimates, about half of all plastic waste comes from products that are only used once. The new ban covers the production, import, and sale of common items like straws and cups made of plastic as well as cigarette packet packaging.

For the time being, products like plastic bags that are less than a specific thickness and so-called multi-layered packaging are exempt from the rule.