West Garo Hills Bans Thin Plastic Bags

Shillong, June 12: In pursuance of the order issued by the High Court of Meghalaya and in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 5 and 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Rule 4 of the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, and Section 133 of the CrPC 1973, the district administration of West Garo Hills has imposed a ban on the manufacture, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of plastic carry bags/covers made from plastic sheets less than 120 microns in thickness.

The order also directs stringent action against the sale and use of single-use plastics and plastic carry bags of size less than the prescribed thickness in the district.

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Moreover, as per the order, the identified single-use banned plastic items are: ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (Thermocol) for decoration, including plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, stirrers, and wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes and invitation cards, as well as plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns.

Further, single-use plastics claiming to be biodegradable and oxo-biodegradable without the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) certificate are also prohibited.

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Failure to comply with the above order shall be liable for punishment under Section 15 & 16 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Rule 15 of the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, and Section 188 of the CrPC 1973.

This order shall come into effect immediately, and no manufacturer, trader, or person shall manufacture, sell, or use plastic carry bags/covers less than 120 microns in thickness.

(Newmai News Network)