KOHIMA: The Nagaland government on Saturday reinforced a total ban on single-use plastic (SUP) in the state.
An order of the government stated that in compliance with the directives from the Central Pollution Control Board, vide No CP-20/117/2021-UPC-II-HO-CPCB-HO-Part(10) 9192 dated March 1, 2023, and subsequent directives from the Urban Directorate Nagaland, vide No UDD/7-GN/05/SUP/2022 dated Kohima, June 15, 2023, a total ban on single-use plastic (SUP) is hereby reiterated to eradicate the serious environmental and ecological challenges posed by the rampant use of plastic, as per Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
In this regard, all concerned are required to ensure strict compliance with directions, including the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of carry bags made of mod, virgin, or recycled plastic, irrespective of the thickness in microns.
The order also stated that the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of the following single-use plastics, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene commodities, shall be prohibited: (a) earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, and polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration; (b) 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 will be liable for penalties, the order added.
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, the order said.
