Initiating active steps towards improving plastic waste management system in the State, the Governor of Himachal Pradesh has recently banned “Thermocols Cutlery” i.e. cups, plates, glasses, spoons or any other item used for serving and consuming food in any form manufactured from non-biodegradable material as listed in the Schedule appended to the Himachal Pradesh Non- Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1995. [ Schedule is Attached for reference]

This ban is effective from 4^th October 2018.

Earlier in the year/s 2009 and 2011, the Government had imposed a ban on the following:

• littering of non-biodegradable waste in the State

• Use of plastic carry bags (irrespective of their sizes and thickness) and

• plastic items having one time use such as disposable plastic cups, glasses and plates which are made up of non–biodegradable material.

As per the recent Directions issued by the Department:

1. No person (including shopkeepers, vendors, wholesalers, retailers, hawkers, rehriwala etc.) shall use “Thermocols Cutlery” i.e. cups, plates, glasses, spoons or any other item used for serving and consuming food in any form manufactured from non-biodegradable material as listed in the Schedule appended to the Himachal Pradesh Non- Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1995.

1. Any person, institution/commercial establishment (educational institution, offices, hotels, shops, restaurants, sweetshops, dhabas, religious institution, industrial establishments, banquet halls etc.) causing breach of the aforesaid prohibition shall be liable for the penalties as per the provisions contained in the Act.

1. The ban on the thermocol cutleries will come into force by 4th October 2018 from 6th July 2018. This 3-month window is being given so that the manufacturers, stockiest, shopkeepers may dispose off their stocks and no financial loss is caused to them.

Background

The use of plastic carry bags (irrespective of their size and thickness) and plastic items, disposable plastic cups, glasses and plates which are made up of non – biodegradable material as listed in the Schedule to the Act was banned by the Governor of Himachal Pradesh on 7^th July 2009 and again on 19^th March 2011. Despite the ban imposed, the Department could not achieve the expected results. With a view to salvage the current hazards and prevent future occurrences, the Governor announced the ban on use of “Thermocols Cutlery” cups, plates, glasses, spoons or any other item used for serving and consuming food in any form manufactured from non-biodegradable material as listed in the Schedule to the Act.

Provisions related to compounding of offences

The Governor has reauthorized the officers / officials who were already authorized under the 2009 and 2011 notifications, to compound any offence as per provision of Section 11 of the Act and specified the sum for compounding as per the following criteria:

For further details, please refer to the notification dated 6^th July, on page 5 and page 6 of the hyperlink below.

Source: Himachal Pradesh Gazette

Share this: