Elimination of Single Use Plastic with Digital Interventions

Abstract

The plastic industry has acquired every product or part of product required in human’s daily life. The plastic product having long useful life serve the need adequately, however the products with low utility create menace to society due to littering and waste collection, management and reconsideration. The policymakers proposed various regulatory measures for the reduction of littering and elimination of single use plastic (SUP). Hon’ble Prime Minister announced in his Independence day speech (15/08/2019) and 56th edition of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on August 25, 2019 for ban on SUP items with effect from July 01, 2022. The government has taken several initiatives for the implementation of ban on identified SUP items. The regulatory digital interventions adopted by government is the prime motivation behind this study, that resulted in capturing and handling large database. The present gaps in the scheme implementation are recorded acting as barrier for actions, establishment of framework and operation &maintenance of digitals models are studied in line with call of Hon’ble PM. The data obtained from developed portals for data handling are analysed and observed that motivators and barriers in present models. The portal for handling of public complaints and maintenance of stringent enforcement drive are found as motivators and lack of development of alternatives to banned SUP items are found as significant barriers in Indian scenario. The study findings suggest that the continuous progress as observed in last few years could eradicate the SUP items and ensure the plastic-free environment.