With the government deciding to eliminate single use plastic items which have low utility and causing serious environmental hazard in the country by the year 2022, teams of MPPCB regional officers were set up in the state who would ensure compliance and proper implementation of the order.

The production, storage, transportation, purchase and sale of identified single-use plastic and plastic and thermocol-made items have been banned by this order.

The officials said the ban would be made effective in the entire country and manufacturing would not take place anywhere in the country.

As many as 20 items come under the purview of single use plastic items that have been banned from July 1 including single use plastic, ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks used in balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, thermocol used in decoration, plastic plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, straws, trays, sweet boxes, invitation cards, packaging covering cigarette packets, plastic stickers and banners made of plastic and PBC less than 100 microns in thickness have been banned.

MPPCB offials have been conducting workshops to make aware the bulk users and manufactures about the ban. The local bodies will also ensure that the ban remains effective.

Talking about the state, a business of 500 crores and more than 5 thousand people are connected with employment. Sachin Bansal, secretary of the India Plast Pack Association, says that the government's decision for environmental protection is right, but the alternative will have to be considered.

If the use of paper increase instead of SUP, then the cutting of trees will be more. Trees will also have to be cut for wood products. Other sectors including packaging and confectionery related to SUP will also be affected-he said.