Odisha to ban plastic usage in urban areas from Oct 2

Bhubaneswar: Usage of plastic will be banned in urban areas of Odisha from October 2 on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, said Forest and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha, today.

The ban will be imposed on polythene carry bags of any shape, thickness and size (excluding compostable); Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET/PETE) bottles of less than 200 ml capacity; single-use disposable cutleries made up of thermocol (polystyrene), polyurethane and similar products; or plastic such as dish, spoon, cup, plate, glass, fork, bowl, pouch to store liquid and container of any size and shape except for packing and selling of milk and other ancillary milk products; and thermocol decorative materials, official sources said.

The department has invited suggestions/objections in this connection from public for consideration within 15 days from the date of publication of an order dated September 10, 2019.

Earlier, ban on plastic usage had come into force in six cities of the state– Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela, Sambalpur and Puri– on October 2, last year.