Central Pollution control board has released a notice regarding the implementation of ban on SUPs (single used plastics).
As per the Plastic Waste Management Rules, “The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of following single-use plastic (SUP), including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, commodities shall be prohibited with effect from the 1st July, 2022:
- earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration;
- Plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.
- Carry bag made of virgin or recycled plastic, shall not be less seventy five microns in thickness with effect from the 30th September, 2021and one hundred and twenty (120) microns in thickness with effect from 31st December, 2022
CPCB has observed that plates and other cutlery items coated with thin plastic were being sold in the market across States, as an alternative to banned Single Use Plastic items; and also observed that the plastic film on such items was often coloured to create an illusion that agro-based material was used in the manufacturing of such items which was not only in violation of the SUP ban but may also adversely affect health of the users, as the colour tends to run off upon usage;
CPCB further conducted inspections in April & May 2023 in Bhagalpur, Bihar and identified several shops selling such plastic coated items as well as other banned SUP items. It was observed that the supply of banned SUP items was being maintained through clandestine means. Through contact tracing, industries engaged in manufacture of such industries were identified, which were located not only in Bihar but in other States also. A total of 23 shops selling SUP items were identified in Bihar. Further 77 Suppliers/manufacturers (West Bengal 60, Bihar 17 & Delhi 02) of SUP items were identified during the inspection.
Now Therefore, CPCB has been released directions to conduct exhaustive inspection drives at regular intervals in the area under your jurisdiction along with State UDDs to identify manufacturers and suppliers of banned SUP items including the plastic coated SUP items through contact tracing. And to take strict action including closure, revocation of consent and levying environmental compensation against violating industrial units. CPCB also released list of suppliers and manufacturers, you may download from below link.
Download – CPCB notice regarding the implementation of ban on SUPs.
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