Bhubaneswar: The state government Wednesday came out with a draft notification on the scheduled ban on the use of plastics in five municipal corporation areas and Puri from October 2.
The forest and environment department issued the draft note inviting objections and suggestions from people or organisations on the draft norms. Anyone can submit their suggestions or objections to the draft note to the director of environment within 15 days.
As per the draft, no person can sell, trade, manufacture, import, store, carry, transport, use or distribute specified types of plastic materials within the limits of the Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela, Sambalpur and Puri municipalities.
Polythene carry bags of any shape, thickness and size will be banned. However, compostable plastics that conform to the Indian Standard (IS 17088:2008) can be allowed after obtaining a certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board before marketing or selling it, it said.
Drinking water bottles and polyethylene terephthalate bottles of more than 500 ml capacity have not been banned. The government has asked manufacturers and producers of such products to take back the supplied items after use.
Similarly, the ban will be imposed on thermocol decorative materials, single use disposable cutleries made up of thermocol (polystyrene) or plastic including dishes, spoons, cups, plates, glasses, forks, bowls, straws, pouches to store liquid and container of any size and shape.
The government, however, allowed vendors to use polythene sheets of above 50 micron thick for storing or transporting consumable items including drinking water, food materials, mineral water, packaging of milk and milk products and edible oil in a sealed manner.
This order will not be applicable for packaging materials used in plant nurseries, horticulture, agriculture and healthcare sector like medicines, blood transportation bags, syringes, samples or specimen bags, medical instruments and accessories.
The owners of institutions, hotels, restaurants and outdoor event managers will be responsible for any violation of the rules. They have to provide space for collection of plastic waste within their campus and return the same to the concerned manufacturer for recycling.
Cinema hall owners have been asked to exhibit slides in their halls regarding the curbs on the use of plastics in the state for a period of one year. Municipal commissioners and executive officers have been instructed to take adequate steps to implement the restrictions.
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