Kohima, 15 July (MTNews): In accordance with directives from the Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate, Government of India, and subsequent instructions from the Urban Directorate Nagaland, the total ban on Single Use Plastic (SUP) has been reaffirmed. The ban aims to address the severe environmental and ecological issues caused by the widespread use of plastics in compliance with Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
All concerned parties are mandated to strictly adhere to the following directions for effective implementation of the ban:
· The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of carry bags made of mod, virgin, or recycled plastic, irrespective of the thickness in microns, are prohibited.
· The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of the following single-use plastic, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene commodities, shall be prohibited:
Earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, and polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration.
Plates, cups, glasses, and cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, and trays. Wrapping or packaging films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) banners less than 100 microns, stirrers.
· All individuals, institutions, commercial establishments, educational institutions, offices, shops, hotels, restaurants, religious institutions/faith-based institutions, central and state government departments/agencies/commissions/PSUs/missions, etc., including militaries/paramilitaries, shall abide by the aforementioned ban, and any breach shall be liable for penalties.
· All other clauses mandated in the “Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016” and “Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021” shall be strictly adhered to.
· Inspections will be conducted at regular intervals, and defaulters will be penalized heavily for the offense.
