India has gone back on its plan to ban single-use plastics, as it is seen as too disruptive during the country’s economic slowdown and job losses.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to outlaw six items yesterday on the 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi as a part of a broader campaign to rid India of single-use plastics by 2022.
The government says it will try to curb the use of plastic bags, cups, plates, small bottles, straws, and sachets rather than enforcing an immediate ban.
Bureaucrat Chandra Kishore Mishra says it’s a question of education and improving recycling services.
"Now, it's a question of telling people about the ill-effects of plastic, of collecting and sending for recycling so people don't litter,” Mr Mishra said.