One Nation, One Mission - End Plastic Pollution

National Plastic Pollution Reduction Campaign

On World Environment Day, 2025, the Hon’ble Minister for Environment, Forest and
Climate Change, Government of India, Shri Bhupender Yadav, has launched several
initiatives including a “National Plastic Pollution Reduction Campaign” with a series of
planned initiatives. One such initiative is a National Hackathon titled “Eco-alternatives
to Single Use Plastics”, which aims to identify and promote country-wide efforts in
development of eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-based single-use plastic (SUP)
items.

Many initiatives across India—by start-ups, research institutions, industry, and civil
society—are already working on innovative solutions to replace banned SUP items.
This hackathon aims to bring visibility to such efforts and further encourage
development of viable eco-alternatives.

As per the planned activities of the Hackathon, 2025, CPCB is required to publish
problem statements for Hackathon, 2025, for which developed solutions can be
submitted by the eligible participants, which include (i) Start-ups registered under
various Government Schemes, (ii) Science, Research & Educational Institutions and
(iii) Industrial Entities. Participants may choose to apply by submitting their solutions
to either one or both the Problem statements.

Problem Statement - 1

Provide an eco-friendly, economically viable, and scalable solution to banned thin

plastic carry bags (less than 120μm in thickness), which continue to be a major
component of plastic waste.

Problem Description
The thin plastic carry bags are light-weight, possess high littering potential and low
collection potential. However, their usage is found in almost every aspect of our lives
as they are convenient to use. As a result, they often accumulate in landfills and open
environments, contributing to environmental pollution.
In view of above, following provisions were introduced in the PWM Rules, 2016 (as
amended) for restricting the usage and manufacturing of thin plastic carry bags:
Clause 4(1)(c): “Carry bag made of virgin or recycled plastic, shall not be less than
seventy-five microns in thickness with effect from the 30th September, 2021 and one
hundred and twenty (120) microns in thickness with effect from the 31st December,
2022;”
Clause 4(1)(h): “the provision of thickness under clause (c) shall not apply to carry
bags or commodities made from compostable plastic or biodegradable plastics.
Carry bags and commodities made from compostable plastics shall conform to the
Indian Standard: IS/ISO 17088:2021 titled as Specifications for Compostable
Plastics”
Several key measures have been taken to enforce the ban on carry bags which include
promotion of alternatives to carry bags which include paper bags, jute and canvas
bags, compostable bags. CPCB has certified total of 284 no. of manufacturers of
compostable plastics/commodities with a combined capacity of over 8,00,000 Tons
Per Annum (TPA). Several States/Union Territories have installed vending machines
in their jurisdiction to promote the alternatives.

Despite the several measures taken by the concerned authorities, usage of carry bags
is still observed in several section of the economy, specifically the informal sector
including street vendors, vegetable & fish markets. Characterization and assessment
of plastic packaging waste carried out by CPCB in eight cities revealed that thin plastic
carry bags (thickness <120 μm) make up a significant portion of the total plastic
waste—ranging from 14% to 54%.

In view of the above, it is imperative to find eco-alternatives to thin plastic carry bags
which are commercially scalable and economically viable.

Expected outcome

Participants are expected to showcase already developed eco-alternatives to banned

thin carry bags (thickness <120 μm). The alternatives should demonstrate adequate
strength, biodegradability, scalability of production, economic viability and novelty.

Solutions should be supported with relevant test reports and highlight their feasibility
for large-scale use and potential adoption by end-users.
Problem Statement - 2

Provide an eco-friendly, technically and economically feasible solution to thin plastic

packaging

Problem Description

As in the case of thin plastic bags, thin plastic packaging is light-weight, possess high
littering and low collection potential. Their usage is found in several sections of the
economy including the food packaging, hospitality sector etc.

In view of above, following provisions were introduced in the PWM Rules, 2016 (as
amended) for restricting the usage of thin plastic packaging:

Clause 4(1)(d): “plastic sheet or like, which is not an integral part of multi-layered
packaging and cover made of plastic sheet used for packaging, wrapping the
commodity shall not be less than fifty microns in thickness except as specified by the
Central Government where the thickness of such plastic sheets impair the functionality
of the product”

Further Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Guidelines were notified by MoEFCC

as Schedule II of PWM Rules as per which the registered Producers, Importers &
Brandowners (PIBOs) have to fulfill EPR obligations through procurement of EPR
Certificates from Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs). CPCB developed the Centralized
EPR Portal for plastic packaging and presently over 50000 PIBOs with EPR target of
70 Lac TPA and around 2900 PWPs with processing capacity of 295 lac TPA are
registered on the EPR Portal. Further, Compendium of Manufacturers/Sellers of
Alternatives to SUP has been launched by Hon'ble MEF on World Environment Day
(WED) 2025.

Despite the several measures taken by the concerned authorities, usage of thin plastic
packaging is still observed in several sections of the economy. Recent
characterization and assessment of plastic packaging waste carried out by CPCB in
eight cities revealed that thin plastic packaging (thickness <50 μm), still constitute upto
10% of the total plastic waste.

In view of the above, eco-alternative solutions to thin plastic packaging are required to
fulfil the increasing demands.

Expected outcome

Participants are expected to showcase already developed eco-alternatives to banned

thin plastic packaging (thickness <50 μm). The alternatives should demonstrate
adequate strength, biodegradability, scalability of production, cost-effectiveness and
novelty. Further, the packaging should not affect the quality of the product.
Solutions should be supported with relevant test reports and highlight their feasibility
for large-scale use and potential adoption by end-users.

1. Registration:

 Applicants can register through the registration form prepared for the purpose.
Link to the registration form can be accessed by
i) Following Registration Form Link :
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHFqBaACX3_cbCErUhEDqrulixm
bUXfCY7UPeoIln894FyLA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=1100770188756995163
91)
ii) scanning the QR code in the poster,
iii) Registration link provided on the CPCB Hackathon webpage

 Problem statement will be published on the CPCB Hackathon Webpage.

 Participants can submit their developed solutions either individually or as a
team, addressing one or more themes of the Hackathon, latest by 15 th
September, 2025.
 The solution shall be submitted as per the format provided in S. No. 2 below
via Email to [email protected].

2. Format for Submission of Developed Solution:

 Solution Submission Format for Participants

1. Team’s Registered Email

ID

2. Problem Statement ID

3. Title of the Developed Solution

4. Description of Developed Solution (50 words)

5. Comparison of Eco-Alternative with Plastic

a Functionality Test Plastic Alternative Remarks
Conducted
(Y/N) (
Please
upload
test
reports)
i Strength
ii Permeability
iii Leachability
iv Shelf life
v Any other
Parameter
b Biodegradability
c Cost per Unit
(Please specify
(₹)
d Scalability and
feasibility of the
solution

6. Target Market/ End-user (50 words)

7. What is the novelty of the developed solution? (50 words)

8. What is the business model or funding requirement for

implementation of the solution? (50 words)

9. Limitations of the developed solution and future improvements

required (100 words)

3. Further Information:
For any further Information/queries, please contact:
 Phone No. 011-43102 460/459
 Email ID: [email protected]
Refer to Information Brochure uploaded on: https://cpcb.nic.in/pp-hackathon-
cpcb/