Himachal Pradesh to ban ‘non-woven’ plastic carry bags

NEW DELHI: The Government of Himachal Pradesh has decided to put a ban on the use of non-woven plastics from January 1, 2023.

The usage of non-woven plastic carry bags weighing less than 60 grammes per square metre (GSM) as well as plastic carry bags of all sizes and thicknesses were outlawed by the state administration last month. However, the state government has now decided to completely ban the use of non-woven plastic carry bags, by putting a ban on such bags of more than 60 GSM as well. This is because it was discovered that these bags, which contain non-biodegradable polypropylene, were being used on a large scale in the markets throughout the hill state.

On July 20, 2022, the state government had issued a notification banning the use of all plastic carry-bags of all sizes and non-woven plastic bags less than 60 Gram per Square Meter (GSM), under the Himachal Pradesh Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1995.

According to new instructions from the Department of Environment, Science and Technology, Government of Himachal Paresh, no one, including shopkeepers, vendors, wholesalers, retailers, hawkers, etc., shall import, stock, distribute, sell, or use non-woven carry bags of any size, including those more than 60 GSM or made of non-biodegradable material as listed in the schedule appended to the Himachal Pradesh Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1995. 

According to the order, anyone who violates the aforementioned prohibition, whether personally or through an organisation or business establishment (such as a school, office, hotel, retail store, restaurant, candy shop, or industrial facility), is subject to legal action.