700 kg single-use plastic items seized and violators punished by MCD

NEW DELHI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), seized a total of 689 kg of single-use plastic items after the ban on such products came in force from July 1. MCD also penalised the violators of the norms regarding usage of single-use plastic items.

As per the statement made by MCD, the civic body will take every measure to ensure compliance with the norms that bans the usage of certain single-use plastic items. Also, MCD has formed nearly 125 enforcement squads at the zonal level, to observe the compliance of norms and they will also work to create awareness among the people.

The list of items, which are banned from July 1, includes earbuds, flags, candy sticks, balloons, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene items for decoration, cups, plates, glasses, spoons, forks, knives, trays, straws, wrapping paper, invitation cards, cigarette packets, stirrers and plastic or PVC banners of less than 100 microns thickness.

According to the officials, the Delhi government has initiated a campaign to close down units engaged in the production, stocking, sale and distribution of above mentioned items.

The statement further reads, “Teams at zonal level are also spreading awareness amongst the public, street vendors and shopkeepers and also connecting with market associations regarding the usage of jute or cloth bags in place of single-use plastic.”

Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, said that the industries and the public has been given ample time to prepare for the ban and move to an alternative solution.

Violators of the norms will be penalised under Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and bylaws of the municipal corporations, as per the statement of Yadav.