Gurgaon goes green: ban on thin plastic bags

The Haryana Government has imposed a ban on the use of polythene bags made of virgin or recycled plastic and with a thickness of less than 30 microns and size less than 8x12 inches in the state.

The Haryana Government has imposed a ban on the use of polythene bags made of virgin or recycled plastic and with a thickness of less than 30 microns and size less than 8x12 inches in the state.

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Soon, the government would come out with fresh notification with stricter norms banning the use of polythene with thickness of less than 40 microns and size less than 12x12 inches.

The state government is also mulling a blanket ban on the use of recycled plastic carry bags for storing, packaging or dispensing of food articles.

The state government has directed the deputy commissioners of all the districts to arrange for carry bags made of non-polluting material such as jute.

Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary of Environment Department, G. Prasanna Kumar, said that under Section 3 of the Environment Protection Act, the Haryana Government had made rules to prohibit manufacture, sale, distribution and use of polythene and plastic carry bags in the state. The notification was issued on January 15, 2008 and subsequently on January 12 2009.

A penalty of Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000 can be imposed on manufacturing unit if found violating the rules for the first offence and if it continues to violate rules, its license can be cancelled in addition to confiscating the machinery used.

Similarly, the retailer or vendor can be fined from Rs. 2500 to Rs. 5000 for use of polythene or plastic carry bags of banned categories for the first offence and if found violating subsequently their trade licence can be cancelled.

Individuals found to be littering public places with polythene bags will also be fined from Rs. 250 to Rs. 500 per offence.