To achieve a garbage and plastic-free clean and healthy environment, Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhandari, Rohit Singh, IAS, through a
circular dated 03.06.2022, issued a directive stating that all single-use plastic carry bags of environmental hazardous nature shall be banned from use from
September 2022 onwards. The order also stated the use of polystyrene commodities that include earbuds with plastic sticks, polystyrene thermocol for decoration purposes, plastic sticks for flags, balloons, ice cream, or candy sticks with plastic sticks will be prohibited from use with effect from the 1st of July 2022.
It also added that single-use plastic eatery materials and water bottles having the potential capacity to cause health and environmental hazards will be
included in the prohibitory order. While the general public, educational or religious institutions, hotels and restaurants, commercial establishments, and business houses were made aware of the directives, it also cautioned that stocking, distribution, and supply of the prohibited plastic material items will be penalized with fine and dealt with according to the provision of the directives.

(APRO Bhandari)