Telangana plans total ban on single-use plastics in Hyderabad’s core urban zone

Hyderabad: The Telangana govt is actively considering a total ban on single-use plastics (SUPs) — except for certain essential items — in the core urban areas of Hyderabad, including the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and adjoining municipalities falling within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits. These areas are expected to be merged into the proposed larger urban corporations.

“The govt is contemplating a complete ban on all SUPs, with limited exemptions for essential items such as milk packets, medical packaging, and other emergency goods. There is even a proposal to prohibit bottled water within govt office premises,” a senior official told TOI.

Chief minister A Revanth Reddy is reportedly supportive of enforcing the ban in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Region and has asked the municipal administration department to study best practices from other states. He has also instructed officials to examine—whether any state or city in India has completely banned SUPs, which items are typically exempted, feedback from manufacturers and enforcement challenges faced by local authorities.

Sources siad that within the state secretariat, some departments, particularly the municipal administration department, have already phased out bottled water in favour of water dispensers, glassware, and steel bottles. However, ironically, some enforcement departments continue to use plastic water bottles and cutlery during meetings and events.

In addition, the rules banned the manufacture, stocking, import, sale, and use of plastic carry bags below 120 microns from Dec 2022.

“One of the key enforcement issues is verifying the thickness of plastic items to determine if they are compliant. A complete ban would eliminate this ambiguity and strengthen enforcement, making it easier to implement,” a senior state govt official said.

If approved, Telangana could become one of the few states to adopt a blanket ban on SUPs in a metropolitan area—a move that may set a precedent for other urban regions across the country.