In May 2002, the Tamil Nadu government introduced a Bill that sought to restrict the use of disposable plastics across the State. The Tamil Nadu Plastic Articles (Prohibition of Sale, Storage, Transport and Use) Bill, 2002, aimed to curb the growing use of non-reusable plastic items such as carry bags, cups and packaging materials. Less than a year later, in January 2003, the Bill was withdrawn following recommendations from a Select Committee, after months of debate involving industry, environmental groups and political parties.
Concerns over plastic waste had been building for some time. On March 9, 2001, The Hindu reported that the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) had asked municipal corporations to reduce the use of “use and throw” plastics, as they choke drains and affect soil and groundwater. By 2002, plastics had become a visible part of municipal waste streams, raising concerns over disposal, public health and environmental damage.
Also Read: How Tamil Nadu’s tryst with plastic ban came a cropper
A Bill that sought to limit use
Introduced on May 7, 2002, the Bill proposed a ban on the sale, storage, transport and use of non-reusable plastics due to the rapid increase in disposable plastic consumption and its impact on groundwater contamination and rainwater percolation.
