ban, pointing out that banned items continue to be widely available in markets, reflecting weak regulation of production and distribution systems.Environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari said that although official figures suggest relatively high recycling rates, the reality on the ground is less encouraging. A significant portion of plastic waste collection and recycling is handled by the informal sector, rather than by structured municipal systems. This dependence limits the scope of scientific processing and environmentally sound waste management practices.Kandhari further noted that existing regulatory frameworks, including the Plastic Waste Management Rules and the Extended Producer Responsibility framework, are designed to increase accountability among producers and brands. However, their effectiveness is undermined by weak implementation and inadequate monitoring mechanisms.According to experts, there is a substantial gap between policy intent and execution. Verification systems to track whether companies are genuinely collecting and recycling plastic waste remain insufficient, raising concerns about compliance.They emphasised that improving enforcement, strengthening monitoring systems, and integrating informal waste workers into formal processes are essential steps. Without these measures, efforts to curb plastic pollution may fall short, despite the presence of comprehensive regulations on paper.
