After considering the adverse effects of plastic carry bags on the environment and local ecology, the Government of Odisha felt that its usage is having a detrimental effect on the environment and human health. With this in the background, the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Odisha in an Order dated September 29, 2018, has issued certain directions which imposes a complete ban on sale, trade, manufacture, import, storage, carrying, transport, usage or distribution of Polythene carry bags, Bottled drinking water (PET/PETE) bottles, Single use disposable cutleries made up of thermocol and thermocol decorative materials.
Enforcement date and ban area:
This ban is applicable in within the municipal limits or as applicable within the Municipal Corporation Limits of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela, Sambalpur and Puri in the State of Odisha and is in force since September 29, 2018.
What is banned?
(i) Manufacturing, selling, trading, importing, storing, carrying, transporting, using or distributing of the following:
- Polythene carry bags irrespective of the shape, thickness and size (excluding compostable);
- Bottled drinking water Polyethylene Terephthatate (PET/PETE) bottles of less than 200m1 capacity;
- Single use disposable cutleries made up of thermocol (polystyrene), polyurethane and the like; or plastic such as dish, spoon, cup, plate, glass, fork, bowl, pouch to store liquid and container etc. of any size and shape excepting for packing and selling of milk and other ancillary milk products; and
- Thermocol decorative materials (flowers and the like)
(ii) Vendors are not allowed to use polythene sheets of less than 50 micron thickness for storing, transporting, dispensing or packaging of any article or commodity or food items, consumables, packaging of milk and milk products and edible oil in sealed manner.
Note: The expression ‘vendor’ means any person who sells articles or commodities specified under this Order.
(iii) No person must knowingly or otherwise, litter any public place with any plastic item allowed under this Order.
Exceptions:
- Compostable plastics must conform to the Indian Standard: IS 17088:2008. The manufacturers or seller of compostable plastic carry bags must obtain a certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board before marketing or selling.
- Any plastic for carrying and transporting garbage and containers like cup for milk products including curd and ice cream etc., Polythene packaging materials used in plant nurseries, horticulture, agriculture and healthcare sector like medicines, blood transportation bags, syringe, sample or specimen bags, re-sealable bags, medical instruments and accessories etc. and Packing materials used for wrapping of any item at manufacturing stage.
Important Compliances:
- The authorities or owners of places of religious worship/institutions, hotels and restaurants, cafe, mobile food counters or vans, caterers and other such places like marriage or party halls, offices or institutions and the outdoor event managers located at the places covered under this Order, must be responsible for ensuring strict compliance of the above directions and they must provide space for collection of plastic waste within their campus and returning the same to the concerned manufacturer or retailers or supplier.
- Manufacturers or Producers of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET/PETE) bottles for bottled drinking water and soft drinks must take back the Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET/PETE) bottles and plastic waste respectively through the same retail sales network under mutually agreed terms and conditions based on Extended Producer’s Responsibility.
- The Order states that the Odisha State Pollution Control Board must ensure closure of the industries producing plastic products which are not confirming to the stipulations of this Order within the 6 above Municipal Corporations/Municipalities.
- Any person including the vendor possessing any materials, which are prohibited under this Order, must dispose of those articles within 29th October, 2018.
Source: Odisha State Pollution Control Board
