SMB conducts ‘Awareness Drive’ at New Market & Fatak Bazar on ban of single use plastic

July 14: Silchar Municipal Board (SMB) is conducting an Awareness Drive for implementation of the Plastic Waste Management at New Market and Fatak Bazar to ensure that single use plastic materials are not used henceforth. The notice for prohibition of production, stocking, distribution, use and sale of Single Use Plastic (SUP) items issued by Assam Govt on 29 June, 2022 was distributed among the shopkeepers of Fatak Bazar and were also pasted on the shutters of shops and prominent places inside New Market and Fatak Bazar.

It is a well-known fact that severe damage is caused to the environment due to extensive use of Single Use Plastics (SUPs) and plastic carry-bags. The Central Government has notified the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021. As per Rule 4(2) of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (as amended), the manufacture, import, stocking distribution, sale and use of Single Use Plastic (SUP). including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene. commodities shall be prohibited with effect from 1 July, 2022.

Banned Single Use Plastics in Assam:

a) Ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (Thermocol) for decoration;

b) Plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.

As per Rule 4(1)(c) of PWM Rules, 2016 (as amended), “carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic shall not be less than seventy five (75) microns and with effect from 30 September, 2021 and one hundred twenty (120) microns in thickness with effect from 30 December, 2022”. This notice is being issued to inform all Producers. Stockists, Retailers. Shopkeepers, e-commerce companies, street vendors, commercial Establishments (malls/ Market place/ Shopping Centres/ Cinema houses/ Tourist locations / Schools / Colleges / Office Complexes / Hospitals & other intuitions) and general public to stop production, stocking, distribution, Sale & use of identified Single Use Plastic (SUP) items as per the said MoEF&CC Notification.

Further, necessary action is to be taken by all concerned entities to ensure zero inventories of the aforementioned SUP items before 1 July, 2022. Any violations of the above regulations shall attract penalty as per the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, including seizure of goods, levying of Environmental compensation and closure of operation as deemed fit. This Public Notice was issued by the Member Secretary of Pollution Control Board, Assam on 29 June, 2022.