NEW DELHI (Wednesday, March 25, 2026) — Three years after India implemented a nationwide ban on several single-use plastic (SUP) items, a new study has revealed that the prohibited products remain rampant in major cities. Delhi has emerged as one of the worst-performing cities, with banned plastics found at 86% of surveyed locations, highlighting a significant “toothless” enforcement gap.
Key Findings: The “Revisiting Single Use Plastic Ban” Report
The study, titled “Revisiting Single Use Plastic Ban,” was conducted by the environmental research group Toxics Link. Researchers surveyed 560 locations—including street vendors, markets, and transit hubs—between April and August 2025.
- Overall Non-Compliance: Prohibited plastic items were present in 84% of all surveyed sites across four major Indian cities.
- The “Worst” Performers: While Delhi’s 86% violation rate is alarming, Bhubaneswar recorded the highest availability at 89%.
- Sectoral Divide: While organized retail spaces and malls showed better adherence, informal markets and small vendors showed “near-complete presence” of banned items.
City-Wise Violation Rates
| City | Violation Rate (%) | Rank (Worst to Best) |
| Bhubaneswar | 89% | 1 |
| Delhi | 86% | 2 |
| Mumbai | 85% | 3 |
| Guwahati | 76% | 4 |
Why is the Ban Failing?
The report identifies several systemic barriers that prevent effective implementation:
- High Customer Demand: 91% of small vendors reported that customers still explicitly ask for plastic carry bags.
- Cost Advantage: Vendors cited the significantly higher cost of alternatives (paper, cloth, or compostable materials) as the primary reason for sticking to plastic.
- Hygiene Perceptions: Many consumers perceive disposable plastic cutlery and plates as more “hygienic” than reusable steel or glass items.
- Enforcement Gaps: The study found that while the ban exists on paper, regular inspections and penalties are inconsistent, allowing the supply chain to remain active.
What Items are Currently Banned?
The 2022 nationwide ban targets 19 items with “low utility and high littering potential,” including:
- Plastic sticks (earbuds, balloons, ice cream, candy).
- Cutlery (plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays).
- Packaging films (around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets).
- PVC banners less than 100 microns.
- Carry bags less than 120 microns in thickness.
Sources
- The Hindu: “Toothless ban: Single-use plastic rules 84% of surveyed sites in four cities” (March 26, 2026).
- Hindustan Times: “Delhi among worst performers in single-use plastic ban compliance: Study” (March 25, 2026).
- Toxics Link Official Report: “Revisiting Single Use Plastic Ban” (Released March 25, 2026).
- PTI News: “Delhi records persistent gaps in single-use plastic enforcement” (March 25, 2026).
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