India’s Plastic Ban Was a Milestone — But a Workaround Is Being Silently Slipped In

In July 2022, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially banned the use of single-use plastic items — including plastic carry bags below 120 microns in thickness. This progressive move was backed by strong enforcement: fines, inspections, task forces, and even a national dashboard to track compliance.

However, an unexpected threat has emerged — plastic net bags.

🚨 The Loophole That’s Slipping Through the Cracks

Many businesses, knowingly or unknowingly, have started using plastic mesh/net bags to package goods like fruits, vegetables, groceries, and retail items. These are single use, as polluting as plastic bags yet these are being used with impunity, wonder how? well the net design makes it impossible to measure micron thickness accurately using standard tools. This has allowed manufacturers and retailers to sidestep regulations without technically “breaking the law.”

But The Fact Remains:

🔴 These bags are effectively single use plastic. 
🔴 They are not biodegradable.
🔴 They contribute to plastic waste and microplastic pollution.
🔴 They violate the spirit and intent of the Plastic Waste Management Rules.

⚠️ Why This Matters

The unchecked use of plastic net bags is:

Setting a dangerous precedent for other manufacturers to exploit similar loopholes.

Creating consumer confusion, as many assume these bags are eco-friendly.

Undermining the collective efforts of citizens, eco-conscious brands, and policymakers.

Allowing large brands to greenwash while appearing sustainable.

💡 What Needs to Happen

We call upon:

✅ Regulatory bodies to update tools and enforcement methods that can detect and measure net bag composition effectively.
✅ Brands and retailers to audit their packaging material and switch to genuinely eco-friendly alternatives like jute, canvas, cotton, and juco.
✅ Consumers to ask questions, refuse plastic net bags, and demand sustainable packaging.
✅ Media and influencers to highlight and expose this loophole so pressure builds on those flouting the law.

What You Can Do

As consumers and responsible businesses:

Say no to plastic net bags — every time. 

Encourage your local vendors and corporates to switch to biodegradable options.

Educate others — share this blog, post about it, or tag brands still using net bags.

👜 Let’s Go Back to the Basics: Real Sustainability

Real sustainability is using bags made from jute, canvas, cotton, or juco bags. These are strong, reusable, biodegradable, and ethically produced. They’re not a workaround — they’re the solution.

At Unroutine, we’ve built our mission around replacing plastic with eco-friendly, honest alternatives. Every bag we make is a step toward a cleaner, greener India.

🌱 Let’s close the loophole. Let’s move toward real change.

📩 Contact us for solutions that are compliant, beautiful, and planet-friendly