Ensure complete ban on single use plastic from July 1: CPCB

 

 

 

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued directions for State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) for compliance and assessment of phasing out single use plastic (SUP) from July 1. On January 21, CPCB had conducted a meeting with all SPCBs/PCCs to learn about the status of action taken so far and preparedness of States/Union Territories for effective enforcement of the ban of single-use plastic. On the basis of the information provided by SPCBs/PCCs, the CPCB has prepared a Comprehensive Action Plan to eliminate manufacture, stock, selling, import and usage of SUP items. As per the action plan, the SPCBs/PCCs have to issue directions to major plastic raw material manufacturers that they shall not supply plastic raw material to producers (in formal/informal sector) engaged in production of banned SUP items. CPCB will include provision for tracking of recycled plastic raw material produced by recyclers in their website soon.

 

Directions by CPCB also include identification of banned SUP producers in informal sector through contact tracing, public notice, public grievance reporting etc. and initiating action against them will be the responsibility of SPCBs/PCCs. Banned SUP producers need to take necessary action to ensure zero inventory by June 30. CPCB will issue a letter to Customs Authority to stop import of banned SUP items. SPCBs/PCCs have to provide district-wise identification of major stockiest, retailers, sellers of banned SUP items to CPCB. State authorities must have to take necessary action to ensure zero inventory by June 30. The authorities shall cancel issued commercial license if found to be selling banned SUP items. Fresh commercial licenses to be issued to the stockiest, retailers, sellers with the condition that they shall not be selling banned plastic items.

 

SPCBs/PCCs have to identify major commercial establishments -- malls, market place, shopping centres, cinema houses, tourist locations, schools, colleges, office complexes, hospitals etc. and stockiest, retailers, sellers, importers, street vendors, vegetable and fruit markets and other similar entities which are dealing in bulk in the SUP items and take action against them. Plastic sticks that use for ear buds, balloons, candy, ice cream, straw; cutlery items like plates, cups, glasses, spoons, forks, knives, trays; plastic wrapping packaging films like sweet box, invitation cards, cigarette packets; other items like plastic flags, PVC banners, thermocol of less than 100 micron for decoration etc. will be banned from July 1 in all over country. Similarly, carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic shall not be less than 75 microns in thickness has been already banned last year.