The UT Administration has imposed a complete ban on industrial packaging of less than 50 microns, single use plastic containers of less than 250 microns used for dairy items and plastic sticks in the union territory of Chandigarh.

With the Administration issuing an order to extend the ambit of ban on single-use plastic products in the city, four more categories of plastic products have been banned here with effect from December 28, 2019.

These products include industrial packing (of any kind) less than 50 microns, single use plastic containers (used for curd, kheer, ice creams etc) less than 250 microns used for packaging of dairy items,  plastic sachets used in cosmetic, ketchup and toiletries having quantity of 30 mil and less, and plastic sticks for ear buds, balloons, flags and candies.

The fresh order comes after Administration’s notification issued in September imposing a complete ban on several single-use plastic products. The much-speculated single-use plastic ban has however did not live up to the hype created due to the absence of proper checks and awareness campaigns.

While a large number of single-use plastic products have been banned in the city so far, the Administration has decided to exclude products including plastic refill pouch having quantity less than 500 mil, straws attached with tetra packs, and multilayered plastic used for foods or snacks packing. These products will be banned from March 28, 2020 onwards.

The notification dated December 28, 2019 issued by the Administration stated that no person including a shopkeeper, vendor, whole seller or retailer, traders, hawker or rehriwala etc shall manufacture, store, import, sell, transport, supply or use the banned plastic items.

Any person causing breach of the ban shall be liable for the penalties as per the provision of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and orders of NGT. Under Section 15 of the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986, whoever fails to comply with the orders, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both.

The violator may also face the closure, prohibition or regulation of any industry, operation or process, stoppage or regulation of the supply of electricity or water or any other service.

Also, the NGT had directed that any person who is found to be using, storing, purchasing, dealing with or distributing plastic bags, plastic plates or plastic glasses and such allied items will be liable to pay environmental compensation at the rate of Rs 5000 per event. Notably, the products that were banned here in September included single use plastic cutlery, Thermocol or Styrofoam cutlery, single use plastic containers, plastic (sold in the name of Silver/Aluminium) bag/pouch for packing food items,  drinking water sealed glasses and plastic mineral water pouch, single-time use razors, single-time use pens, use of thermocol for decoration purpose and , use of plastic material for decoration purpose such as wrapping sheets, frills, garland, confetti, party bloopers, plastic ribbons.

The use of non-woven polypropylene bags and polythene or plastic carry bags with or without handle irrespective of size, shape and colour (excluding bags permissible under Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016) is also prohibited in the city.