Ban on use of plastic violated by hotels, shops in state
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 08 2011: Despite the ban on the use of recycled plastics, plastic is still used in hotels and shops in the state.

The Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 which has been enforced since a notification was issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests on February 7 of this year, had imposed a ban on the use of plastic materials in sachets for storing, packing or selling goods, tobacco, pan masala, etc.

Under the new rules, foodstuffs will not be allowed to be packed in recycled plastics or compostable plastics.

Plastic carry bags shall either be white or only with those pigments and colourants which are in conformity with the bar prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

The rule further said that the minimum thickness was 20 microns.

However, in the state, plastic having thickness ranging from 5 microns to 15 microns are still available in plenty.

Rag pickers sorting out plastic items for resale

The violation of the rules was found when a team of the Manipur Pollution Control Board led by Assistant Rnvironment Engineer (Chemical), Kh Premkumar conducted a series of raids on hotels and shops today.

The team had earlier issued stern warnings to hotels and shops to discontinue the use of plastics.

The team also conducted a drive on the plastic manufacturing industries at Takyelpat, Chingmeirong, Sangaiporou where they examined whether these units follow the guidelines circulated by the Manipur Pollution Control Board under the notified rules.

Speaking to reporters, Kh Premkumar said that the ban had been imposed considering the harmful effect of plastic to human health.

After the ministry issued the notification, Manipur Pollution Control Board circulated the same rules to the state on March 23 directing the municipal authorities and plastic industries to abide by the rules.

As per rule, the Municipal authority is responsible for setting up, operationalisation and coordination of the waste management system.

This includes to ensure safe collection, storage, segregation, transportation, processing and disposal of plastic waste, ensure no damage to the environment during this process, to create awareness among all stakeholders about their responsibilities , and to ensure that open burning of plastic waste is not permitted.

He said that offenders of the rules can be punishable with five year imprisonment or a fine ranging from ' 1 lakh to ' 5 lakhs or both.