Ban on single-use plastic in Himachal from July 1

Shimla, June 29

The manufacturing, transportation, storage, distribution, sale and use of single-use plastic items will be prohibited in the state from July 1, said Additional Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena here today. He directed various departments and all Deputy Commissioners to ensure effective implementation of the ban.

Saxena chaired a meeting of the special task force constituted for taking measures to eliminate single-use plastic. He said that single-use plastic items such as stick ear buds, sticks for balloons, ice cream, candies and flags, polystyrene (thermocol) used in decoration, cutlery, plates, cups, knives, trays, glasses, forks and straws would be prohibited.

He directed the Urban Development and Rural Development departments to draft proposals for eliminating single-use plastic and identify sites for garbage dumping in their areas under the Swachh Bharat Mission-2. He also directed Himcoste to identify dumping sites and waste-related places near water resources through satellite in different districts. He said that proper management of plastic waste generated in urban and rural areas should be ensured.

Saxena said that a special task force had been constituted at the state level under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary and similar bodies under Deputy Commissioners at the district level to take various measures to tackle pollution caused by single-use plastic products.

Cutlery among other items on list

Single-use plastic items such as stick ear buds; sticks for balloons, ice cream, candies and flags; polystyrene (thermocol) used in decoration, cutlery items like plates, cups, knives, trays, glasses, forks and straws would be prohibited