TOTAL BAN ON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC REINFORCED IN NAGALAND  

In compliance with the directives from the Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate, GOI, vide No.CP-20/117/2021-UPC-II-HO-CPCB-HO-Part(10) 9192 dated 01.03.2023, and subsequent directives from the Urban Directorate Nagaland vide No UDD/7-GN/05/SUP/2022 dated Kohima, 15th June 2023, a total ban on Single Use Plastic (SUP) is hereby reiterated to eradicate the serious environmental and ecological challenges posed by the rampant use of plastic, as per Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. In this regard, all concerned are required to ensure strict compliance with the following directions:

1.               The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of carry bags made of mod, virgin, or recycled plastic, irrespective of the thickness in microns, are prohibited.

2.               The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of the following single-use plastic, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene commodities, shall be prohibited:

a)      Earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, and polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration.

b)      Plates, cups, glasses, and cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, and trays. Wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) banners less than 100 microns, stirrers.

3.               All individuals, institutions, commercial establishments, educational institutions, offices, shops, hotels, restaurants, religious institutions/faith-based institutions, central and state government departments/agencies/commissions/PSUs/missions, etc., including militaries/paramilitaries, shall abide by the aforementioned ban, and any breach shall be liable for penalties.

4.               All other clauses mandated in the "Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016" and "Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021" shall be strictly adhered to.

5.               Inspections will be conducted at regular intervals, and defaulters will be penalized heavily for the offense.

(Manjong Phom IA, Longleng)