Ranchi's Struggle Against Single-Use Plastic: Non-Compliance Persists Despite Statewide Ban

Ranchi: Despite a statewide ban on single-use plastic (SUP) items, shops across the city of Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) limits continue to distribute banned plastics with impunity.

While RMC stepped up inspections, enforcement remains patchy and widespread non-compliance persists.Under the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board regulations, from 1 July 2022, the manufacture, import, storage, distribution, sale, and use of certain single-use plastic items, including plastic bags under 120-micron thickness, disposable cups, plates, spoons, straws, and trays, are prohibited.RMC officials said that surprise inspections over the past month netted significant quantities of banned material.

“In our recent raid at Morabadi and Hatia markets, we seized 35 kg of plastic bags and thousands of disposable glasses and spoons. But despite this, at nearly every small shop we inspect, we still find contravention,” said city manager Ambuj Singh.Residents say the enforcement gap is rooted in weak monitoring and low public awareness. “Every small shop uses plastic without fear. They hand out plastic bags as if the ban doesn’t exist,” said Meena Devi, a resident of Morabadi.

RMC’s strategy includes intensified surprise market sweeps, warnings, and fines under the Plastic Waste Management Rules (Amendment) 2021, which allow seizure of non-compliant stock and imposition of penalties. So far, the corporation reports collection of fines totalling over Rs 60,000 since Jan 2024.However, shopkeepers argue that alternatives such as biodegradable or cloth bags are costlier and less durable. “Plastic bags are cheaper and stronger. The eco-bags tear easily and customers demand extra packaging,” said Ram Avtar, a vegetable seller in Kokar.