West Bengal imposes a complete ban on plastic bags below 75 microns of thickness from July 1

The West Bengal government has banned thin plastic bags (below 75 microns of thickness) or single-use plastic (SUP). The manufacture, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of plastic carry bags below 75-micron thickness will be a punishable offense in the state from July 1.
Plastic ban in West Bengal from July 1

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Photo : PTI
KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has announced a complete ban on thin plastic bags (below 75 microns of thickness) or single-use plastic (SUP) starting July 1. From here on, the manufacture, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of plastic carry bags below 75-micron thickness will incur stringent action against the violator in the state.
Civic bodies are asked to impose Rs 500 against selling single-use thin plastic packets and carry bags and Rs 50 for using them. The amount of penalty will be enhanced if violations ran rife, said an officer of the environment department.
To completely do away with the manufacture and use of SUP, the state government is using policies with leverages. "Pollution Control Board (PCB) has announced a prize against information on manufacturing, storing, sale, and use of banned plastic substances. The environment department has also decided stringent action against the violation," state Environment Minister Ratna De Nag said in the Assembly on Tuesday.
In a notification from the government, a total of 1,026 plastic carry bag manufacturing units in the state have been given instructions against the manufacture of the banned plastic polybags. Two big petrochemical companies in the state - Haldia Petrochemical and IVL Dhunseri Petrochemicals - have also been advised against supplying plastic granules to companies manufacturing thin plastic bags.
The notification also established that any violation will be seen as a punishable offense and strict action including penalties for users, polluters' pay for environmental compensation, and even confiscation of raw materials and closure of the units under the Environment Protection Act 1986 may be taken.
The PCB (Pollution Control, Board) and Jadavpur University in a recent effort, carried out a survey on plastic waste and its effect on the environment. The study brought into light some horrific pictures of plastic pollution and identified 191 units manufacturing plastic bags. All these 191 manufacturers have also been served a copy of the notification.
All plastic sticks used in ice cream or candy sticks, toothpicks, and ear-cleansing buds will be strictly banned. Utensils (plates, glasses, pots) made of polystyrene, popularly known as thermocol will also be banned. Even plastic wrappers on chocolates, cigarette boxes, packing materials on sweets, or gift boxes will be strictly banned, said Nag.
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