Ban on single use plastic in Kerala from January 1

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government on Thursday has decided to ban single use plastic products from January 2020.

A decision in this regard was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. After considering the environmental and health issues related to mounting plastic waste, the government decided to ban the single-use-plastic products in the state from January 1, 2020, a government press release said.

Plastic carry bags and sheets, cooling films, plastic plates, cups, thermocol and Styrofoam-based fancy items and others have been banned. Single-use plastic can be used only once before it is either thrown away or recycled and is mainly used by the food processing and food delivery, retailers for packaging and selling finished goods, pharmaceuticals and agriculture. “Single-use plastic cups, plates, spoons, forks, straws, stirrers, bowls, plastic flags, water pouches, juice packs, pet bottles (under 300 ml), plastic garbage bags, PVC flex materials, plastic packets, among others have been banned,” Vijayan said. The government also decided to initiate legal action against those who defy the ban under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. District Collectors, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Pollution Control Board-appointed officials are authorised to take action against the violators. “The manufacturers, wholesale or retail dealers who violate the ban will have to pay a fine of Rs 10,000. In case of repeat offence, the fine amount will be Rs 25,000.

Four Cong MLAs censured by Speaker

Kerala Assembly Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan on Thursday censured 4 Opposition Congress MLAs for climbing on to his dais and raising slogans during a protest. The incident occurred on Wednesday during a protest by Congress-led UDF MLAs against the police lathicharge on Palakkad legislator Shafi Parambil and some Kerala Students Union activists during a march to the Assembly on Tuesday.

Those who violate the ban will have to pay a fine of Rs 10K. In case of repeat offence, the fine amount will be Rs 25K