Jail term for single-use plastic violators: Rai

The Delhi government will issue warning notices to units found violating the ban on 19 single-use plastic items till July 10 and punitive action will be taken thereafter against repeat offenders, environment minister Gopal Rai said on Friday. He said action will include a fine of up to `1 lakh or a jail term of up to five years or both under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

The minister, however, said that the government will accord top priority in creating awareness against the use of SUP items and providing their alternatives to people.

The identified SUP items include earbuds, plastic sticks for balloons, flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol), plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, wrapping or packaging films around sweets boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners of less than 100 microns, and stirrers. Even the thickness of plastic carry bags will have to be increased from 75 microns to 120 microns from December 31.

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee had earlier issued strict directions to manufacturers, stockists, suppliers and distributors of SUP items to ensure zero inventory of the banned commodities, including packaging films and plastic cutlery, by June 30.

Mr Rai said many people believe that setting up enforcement teams, imposing fines and closing down (defaulting) units will make the ban successful. “Our government thinks differently... Our aim is to create awareness and provide alternatives to people before enforcing the ban,” he added.