Delhi to shut down all units dealing in SUP items from July 1

NEW DELHI: The Government of NCT of Delhi is set to run a campaign to ensure compliance with the ban on 19 identified single-use plastic (SUP) items from July 1. The Department of Environment, Government of Delhi, will undertake this campaign to close down all manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and sellers found violating the orders.

A senior government official, as reported by the PTI, said that the government has issued strict directions to manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors of single-use plastic items to ensure zero inventory of the 19 SUP items. Those who do not maintain a zero inventory, as directed, will be shut down by the Department of Environment of Delhi within the first week of July.

The identified SUP items include plastic sticks for balloons, candy sticks, earbuds, flags, ice-cream sticks, plates, glasses, cups, forks, knives, spoons, trays, straws, polystyrene (thermocol), invitation cards, wrapping or packaging films around sweets boxes, cigarette packets, stirrers, and plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron.

The government is planning to conduct regular inspections to ascertain compliance by manufacturers, brand owners, and suppliers, that are registered with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). According to the official, industrial and redevelopment areas of the city are being inspected to identify and shut down units manufacturing SUP items illegally.

Moreover, the DPCC has reached out to Sriram Institute of Industrial Research (SRI) to conduct survey to identify littering hotspots in Delhi and quantify the plastic waste generation. These initiatives were taken in light of Delhi inching closer the deadline of June 30 for phasing out of 19 SUP items. The SRI has been given four months’ time to cover all the 11 districts in Delhi and complete the survey.