E-commerce companies, commercial establishments, producers etc. in Odisha are directed to stop the use, distribution, production and sale of single use plastic items and ensure zero inventory of the same by 30th June, 2022
Odisha State Pollution Control Board has directed all e-commerce companies, commercial establishments (including office complexes), Producers, Stockists, Retailers, Shopkeepers, Street Vendors and general public in Odisha to stop the use, production, distribution, stocking and sale of identified Single Use Plastics and take necessary action to ensure zero inventory of the prohibited Single Use Plastic items by 30th June 2022.
Background:
The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021, prescribes as follows:
1. The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of the following single use plastic (including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene commodities), shall be prohibited with effect from 1st July 2022:
a) Ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration;
b) Plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns in thickness, stirrers.
2. Carry bag made of virgin or recycled plastic, shall not be less than 75 microns in thickness with effect from 30th September 2021 and shall not be less than 120 microns in thickness with effect from 31st December 2022;
Violation of the above-mentioned Notification would lead to seizure of goods, levy of Environmental Compensation, closure of operations of industries/ commercial establishments or any other action as deemed fit under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Source: Government of Odisha
