On the streets of Bengaluru, single-use plastic (super) is everywhere. Fruit vendors hand over items in plastic bags, serve warm drink piping in the roadside tea stall disposable cup, and even rely on the canteen plastic cutlery. Despite a restriction that has been applicable for years, these banned plastic dominates daily life. Like other states in India, the Karnataka is struggling with the Super Menus, both citizens are influenced by both indifference and attractive profits for its producing industries.
Environmental activists blamed civic bodies and pollution control boards for lack of enforcement, even though Karnataka was the first state in India to pass a law against plastic use in India. In 2016, the Forest, Ecology and Environment Secretariat banned the construction, supply, sale and use of super under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Five years later, the Union Ministry followed the blanket ban. Items such as carry bags, banners, flakes, flags, cutlery, cling films, thermocol, balloons, invitation cards, straws and PVC banners were prohibited. Nevertheless, these items remain in everyday use.
According to the United Nations, plastic prices of 2,000 waste trucks end up every day in oceans, rivers and lakes. Globally, 19–23 million tonnes of plastic leakage in aquatic ecosystems annually.
According to the State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Karnataka produces an average of 3.6 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, about 1,000 tonnes per day. Between 2021 and 2024, the annual production ranged from 3.45 lakh tonnes to more than 5.28 lakh tonnes. Nevertheless, only 30% of this waste reaches the processing and recycling units according to a senior official of the KSPCB officer. In Bengaluru alone, daily is used from 500 tons super, only 200 tons are processed, and the rest either reach the landfill or break into microplastics.
Super dangers
A 2021 study published in Environment International revealed, for the first time, the presence of microplastics in the human placenta, highlights the strength of plastic infiltration.
Bangalore -based gynecologist and environmental activist Meenakshi Bharat stressed the health risks generated by the Sup. “Often, people pour or store warm food in a plastic bag or box, which mixes microplastics with food and eventually reach the human body. Microplastics accumulate inside the body and cause a crowd of health complications, including hypothyroidism, inflammation, respiratory issues and more,” he said.
He said that plastic in the landfill declines in microplastic (smaller particle to 5 mm), which leak in soil and water, mix with plants and organisms, and eventually enter the human body when we consume greens.
A Jelappa Reddy, former Forest Secretary and Sylviculist, said that plastic travels with air and drains, eventually broken into small units. “When plastic reduces microplastics, it affects and reduces microbial ecosystems. When such ecosystems are damaged, it negatively affects large ecosystems, destabilizing the environmental balance,” explained.
Jelappa further stated that urban cattle and other animals consume plastic, with fatal consequences, because nanopathy passes through bloodstream and accumulate in cells and organs.
Shadow market
While the restriction exists, plastic for packaging is allowed under strict guidelines through extended productive responsibility (EPR). It makes producers, importers and brand owners (pibos) compulsory to register on a centralized EPR platform.
In Karnataka, there are 134 registered brand owners, 353 manufacturers and 785 importers. For all the waste produced by these registered agencies and illegal SUS, there are only 129 registered companies to recycle their output. The capacity established in Karnataka to process plastic waste is 2.29 lakh tonnes per year. However, most of these units do not work at full capacity, and many remain closed.
A well -placed source in Bengaluru Solid West Management Limited (BSWML) said that under this cover, many industries continue to illegally produce and import Sups.
“While there are a handful of registered industries, more than 300 illegal plastic-producing units are working in Bengaluru. They all need a machine for a machine, 10×10 feet and 10 kwh to 20 kwh power is the power of power,” said a city-based standing entrepreneur Rajesh Babu. He said, “Even raw materials and chemicals are easily available. Therefore, a mekshift setup brings great benefits to people running such an illegal super manufacturing units,” he said.
Virgin plastic granules, titanium dioxide, red oxide, colorant, calcium carbonate, and other chemicals are used to manufacture sup.
Bangalore Solid West Management Limited CEO Kari Gowda confirmed that some back door industries were built super during their recent inspections. “Not only the manufacturers, during our recent raids, we found importers to bring super from other states. There are also distributors who distribute super,” Mr. Gowda said on a crack on these networks.
A KSPCB source listed hotspots for such manufacturing units and dealers: Peenya Industrial Area, Dasarahalli, Kamakashipalya, JC Road, SP Road, and Peat Pocket Pockets in Central Bangalore. In addition, some dealers imported stock from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
Ground challenges
To understand the situation, this reporter visited Kamakashipalya, who was disguised as a wholesale buyer and questioned around the industrial pocket. After asking at six places, a dealer finally gave a manufacturer’s address. When contacted, the manufacturer denied having any stock and claimed that no dealer was operating nearby.
KSPCB senior environmental officer MG Yatesh said that this is a challenge while working on the tip-off. “Even with little doubt, such dealers are closed back. They only sell to people within their reliable networks,” he said that he said that Hindu,
A BSWML source said that just two days before this reporter’s visit, he raided the same place.
BSWML records confirm the prevalence of illegal super. Between 3 and 16 September, 5,581 establishments were raided, seized 30,421 kg of plastic and collected ₹ 62.57 lakh.
Why are sups in demand?
There is a demand for economics. Rajesh says that the production of 1 kg super is ₹ 50- The 80, while this. Sold on 300. Options such as clothes or cotton bags are priced at ₹ 2 per piece in production and ₹ 4- ₹ 5 is on sale. Retail sellers and wholesale traders prefer super, as it is cheap and convenient.
A fruit seller in Jayanagar, requesting oblivion, explained, “For us, it is about business and competition. Many people do not bring their own bags, especially while returning home from work in the evening, and demand one. If we refuse, if we refuse, they proceed to another seller.
When questioned, four out of seven people in the same market in Jayanagar either thought that the ban on plastic was lifted or unaware of it.
V. Ramprasad, an expert in solid waste management, emphasizes that the lack of enforcement has allowed the super to flourish. “These agencies only function when they receive a tip-off. This danger is multi-layered, with stakeholders at every level,” they say.
Restriction enforcement
Ramprasad’s concerns are reflected in enforcement data. Karnataka, KSPCB and municipal bodies inspected 1,65,964 establishments in the last three years, seizing 1,012 MT of plastic.
Although the number looks sufficient, the enthusiasm for enforcement declined within a year after the law was passed by the Center. Officials raided 1,25,661 establishments in 2022-2023 immediately after the ban. Raids fell by 22,192 in 2023-2024 and 18,111 in 2024-2025.
However, KSPCB senior environmental officer MG Yatesh said that he works actively on tip-offs in addition to surprisingly checking.
Another KSPCB official said that the enforcement is particularly challenging in rural areas, which explains a low raid. He said, “Usually, the villagers carry the bag, as the Sainte (weekly market) system is still active. However, they rarely collaborate during the raid,” he said. He said, “There is also a serious shortage of field staff. A person is working for four,” he said.
Policy interval
Nalini Shaker, co-founder of Hasiru Dala, said that proper separation of solid waste will improve the amount of plastic reaching processing units, emphasizing the important role of ragapicors, emphasizing the important role of ragapicors.
Kari Gowda agreed that there is a lack of policy to complete the cycle of waste collection, isolation and processing. This issue will be addressed, he said.
Jelappa said that the absence of awareness drive contributes to constant super use. Civic bodies, he said, awareness campaign should be conducted, children should educate, and strengthen existing laws by adding strict punishment for criminals.
Meanwhile, after the formation of five new corporations in Bengaluru, the new commissioners have emphasized regular inspection and drive against Sup. BSWML has formed 27 teams under senior officials to conduct checks, with the support of Marshall.
It remains to be seen whether a new administrative set-up for Bengaluru can beat the challenge that has failed its predecessors.
