Notification issued to ban plastic in Odisha. Here’re details

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of implementation of plastic ban in six cities of Odisha from October 2, the State Forest and Environment department issued a notification on Saturday in this regard.

As per notification, no person can sell, import, store, carry, transport or use polythene, plastic bottles, plastic carry bags of any shape and size (excluding compostable) within the municipal corporation limits of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela and Sambalpur and Puri municipality.

In case of compostable plastics, the manufacturers or the sellers will have to obtain a certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board before marketing or selling.

The government notification stated that the vendors shall not be allowed to use polythene sheets of less than 50 micron thickness for storing, transporting, dispensing or packaging of any article, commodity, food items, milk, milk products and edible oil in a sealed manner.

However, the rule excludes any plastic for carrying and transporting garbage and containers like cup for milk products including curd and ice cream, polythene packaging materials used in plant nurseries, horticulture, agriculture and healthcare sector like medicines, blood transportation bags, syringe, sample or specimen bags, resealable bags, medical instruments and packing materials used for wrapping of any item at manufacturing stage.

Here’re the points mentioned in the notification:

• The authorities or owners of places of religious worship, commercial institutions like hotels, restaurants, cafe, mobile food vans, caterers and other such places like marriage or party halls, offices located under five municipal corporations and Puri Municipality limits will shall be responsible for ensuring strict compliance of the aforesaid directions and they shall provide space for collection of plastic waste within their campus and returning the same to the concerned manufacturer or retailers or suppliers.
• The manufacturers of Polyethylene Terephthalate bottles for drinking water and soft drinks shall take back the bottles and plastic waste respectively through the same retail sales network under mutually agreed terms and conditions based on Extended Producer’s Responsibility.
• The Municipal Commissioners or the officials of the civic bodies shall make wide publicity of all provisions of the order through press and electronic media.
• The officials of the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) shall take adequate steps to implement the restrictions specified in the official order and make arrangements for collection and disposal of recycling of any type of plastic items within their jurisdiction.
• The district collector, sub-divisional magistrate, member secretary of the State Pollution Control Board, who are empowered to take cognizance of offence under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 shall enforce the provisions of the order in their respective jurisdiction.
• The Cinema hall owners or proprietors shall exhibit slides in their halls regarding the restriction of plastic use in the State for a period of one year from the date of issue of this order.
• The State Pollution Control Board shall ensure closure of the industries producing plastic products which are not confirming to the stipulations of this order within six above municipal corporations and municipalities.
• Centre for Environmental Studies, Odisha shall make necessary public awareness campaign regarding consequences of indiscriminate use and littering of plastics and restrictions imposed under this order through NGOs and Eco clubs.
• Any person or vendor possessing any materials, which are prohibited under this order, shall dispose those articles within one month from the date of notification.