BAN ON SUPS IN TUENSANG

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) & Administrator Tuensang Town Council, Thungchanbemo Tungoe has notified ban on Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) within the limit of Tuensang Town Council with immediate effect to eradicate the menace of plastic and serious environmental and ecological challenges posed by rampant use of plastics :

The following single-use plastic products shall be totally banned:

a.            All the carry bags, with or without handles, irrespective of thickness and size.

b.            Plastic cutlery including plates, plastic cups, straws, trays, etc.

c.            Cutlery and other decoratives made of styrofoam.

d.           Polythene.

e.            Nylon

f.             Poly-Vinyl-Chlorides.

Single-Use plastics are often referred to as disposable plastics commonly used for packaging and included items intended to be used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These include among other items, carry bags, food packaging, bottles, straws, containers, plastic cups, and plates.

Every individual, institution/ commercial establishment, educational institution, office, hotel, shop, restaurant, religious institutions, industrial establishments, banquet halls, etc shall abide by the aforesaid total ban and any breach shall be liable for penal action along with the fine amounting to Rs 2000.

The manufacture of single-use plastics below 120 microns in thickness w.e.f 30th September 2022 and manufacture of non-woven plastic carry bags shall not be less than 60 gram per square meter w.e.f 30th September 2022.

The manufacture of the following items to be banned completely w.e.f 1st July 2022.

a.               Earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, and polystyrene for decoration.

b.               Plastic cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, wrapping or packaging films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, and plastic or polyvinyl chloride banners not less than 100 microns.

To oversee the adherence of the public in general to the ban, Inspector and officials of the Tuensang Town Council have been authorised to carry out inspections and levy fines against the defaulters.

(DPRO Tuensang)