SDMC steps up battle against plastic bags

NEW DELHI: Aim to ensure complete prohibition on manufacture, storage, sale and use of plastic carry bags of less than 50 microns, South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on Monday announced a series of initiatives.

The Corporation said that the new rules have brought in rural areas under its ambit, extended minimum thickness of plastic carry bags from 40 microns to 50; assigned responsibility on both producers and generators in public plastic waste management system; and has allows availability of legal plastic carry bags only with shopkeepers or vendors registered with local bodies.

The SDMC said a complete ban on plastic carry bags has become imminent, though an eco-friendly product to be used as substitute to plastic has not been found yet. In the absence of a suitable alternative, it is in the interest of ecological balance and environment to implement the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 in toto.

As per the National Green Tribunal’s order, any person found in possession or usage of such plastic shall be liable to pay environmental compensation of Rs 5,000 per default.

Moreover, SDMC has issued a number of public notices in newspapers to apprise general public about the order of NGT and subsequently educate them against using plastic carry bags.

Electronic media will also be used for effective dissemination of the message. After expiry of the seven-day period to generate awareness, it became binding on local bodies to fine anybody found carrying a plastic bag less than 50 micron thickness, whether or not they were aware of the NGT order and any public notice.