DRDO launches biodegradable packaging products to lower use of single-use plastic in India

In a bid to reduce single-use plastic, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Acharya Nagarjuna University and Ecolastic Private Limited, launched environmentally safe packaging products me from natural and plant-based food-gre materials.

" bags which come in two forms, soluble and insoluble, can be biologically degred in 3 months and cause no harm to environment whatsoever. Unlike conventional polyethylene bags me from petrochemicals, which are highly unsafe to environment and takes years to degre, se bags are most sustainable, cost-effective, and ocean-safe alternative to single-use plastics," DRDO and Ecolastic Private Limited said.

Speaking to media, Director of vanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), DRDO, Ram Manohar Babu said that he feels immensely proud at launching Ecolastic packaging product. "Government of India has decided to completely eliminate usage of single-use plastic in country by 2022 and se biodegrable packing bags help us make a forward step in that direction," he said. "Eco-friendly products like se are essential for survival of mankind and DRDO has played a vital role in bringing it out," he ded while pointing out that Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has approved distribution of se products.

India proposes to phase-out single-use plastic

 A Draft Notification Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021, published by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on March 12, 2021, announced a ban on single-use plastic that would take place in three phases. First, as of September 30, 2021, non-woven plastic carry bags (me of virgin or recycled plastic) must be at least 60 grams per square meter (GSM) or 240 microns thick. Compostable plastic carry bags would be exempted. Second, starting on January 1, 2022, India is proposing to ban manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of certain single-use plastic commodities, including candy sticks and ice-cream sticks. Or single-use plastic commodities to be banned after this date include earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags,  and polystyrene decorations.

Third, as of July 1, 2022, India would ban manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of ditional single-use plastic items (including items me with polystyrene and expanded polystyrene). single-use plastic commodities that would be prohibited after this date include following food-contact articles:  plates, cups, glasses, cutlery, straws, trays, stirrers, and wrapping films around sweet boxes. Non-food contact items include wrapping/packing films around invitation cards and cigarette packets, and plastic/PVC banners less than 100 microns thick.