HSPCB seizes over 1.7K kg of single-use plastic in two-day drive

The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has seized more than 1,700kg of banned single-use plastic items during a two-day crackdown across Gurugram, officials said on Thursday

The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has seized more than 1,700kg of banned single-use plastic items during a two-day crackdown across Gurugram, officials said on Thursday.

The seized plastic.

According to HSPCB officials, special enforcement teams inspected Badshahpur market and Tek Chand Nagar in Dhanwapur village on Wednesday and Thursday as part of HSPCB’s ongoing campaign against the illegal use, storage and distribution of banned single-use plastic (SUP) products.

During Wednesday’s drive — conducted by the HSPCB Gurugram (north) team comprising assistant environmental engineer (AEE) Kamesh and junior environmental engineer (JEE) Raghvender — targeted commercial establishments, vendors and storage facilities in Badshahpur market. Officials confiscated 154 kg of banned single-use plastic items from two violators found storing and dealing in prohibited plastic products.

The drive was intensified the following day when another HSPCB team — comprising AEEs Kamesh and Vishal along with JEE Raghvender Singh — inspected commercial establishments in Tek Chand Nagar, Dhanwapur.

During the operation, officials recovered 1,550 kg of banned single-use plastic products from M/s VS Plastics, and transported it to JBM Enviro’s waste-to-energy plant at Tajpur, Sonipat, for disposal.

Officials said the inspections aimed to identify illegal manufacturing, storage and distribution of banned plastic items and ensure strict compliance with environmental norms.

They added that more enforcement drives will occur across Gurugram in the coming weeks, particularly in wholesale markets, commercial hubs and industrial areas where violations are suspected.

Akanksha Tanwar, regional officer of HSPCB (south), said: “HSPCB has constituted enforcement teams to conduct regular inspections across Gurugram against the manufacture, storage, sale and use of banned single-use plastic items. Strict action will continue against violators in accordance with environmental regulations. We also appeal to traders, manufacturers and citizens to switch to sustainable alternatives and support the collective effort to reduce plastic pollution,” she said.

According to HSPCB, the campaign is part of its larger strategy to curb plastic pollution and promote environmentally sustainable practices. Besides enforcement, officials are also focusing on creating awareness among traders and consumers about the harmful impact of single-use plastics on public health, drainage systems and the environment.