ITANAGAR, 28 Jun: Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) Deputy Commissioner Talo Potom informed that, in compliance with the notification issued by the union environment, forest & climate change ministry, manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of plastic, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene commodities, will be banned from 1 July.
The DC said this during a meeting here with the AP State Pollution Control Board (APSPCB), corporators led by Deputy Mayor Biri Basang, ICR SP Jimmy Chiram, Assistant Municipal Commissioner Datum Gadi, EAC (Market Affairs) Dana Unna, and representatives of the UD department, the IMWA, the market welfare committees of Naharlagun, Nirjuli, Chimpu and Banderdewa, weekly market associations and the All Arunachal Pradesh Vendors and Hawkers Association.
Informing that the ban will be strictly implemented from 1 July, the DC stressed that “intensive awareness in this regard is necessary,” and asked the pollution control board and the market associations to “carry out public announcement in the entire capital region, especially among the vendors.”
The DC asked all to encourage one another to use jhola/bags while buying groceries, vegetables, and other items. He said he would visit all the shops on 1 July “to check and ensure the implementation of the ban.”
The SP also stressed on carrying out intensive and rigorous awareness programmes to reach out to the public. He recommended using “alternatives like waterproof papers for packaging and carrying.”
APSPCB Member Secretary T Riba informed that “plastics carry items with less than 75 microns in thickness would be completely banned, like carry bag and other items like plastic sticks (ear buds, balloons, etc) cutlery items (plates, cups, glasses, etc), plastic wrapping packaging films (sweet box, invitation cards, cigarette packets), plastic sheets (less than 75 microns thickness), and other items.”
The officers of the APSPCB showed samples of carry bags that will be banned, and informed that “plastic carry bags with thickness more than 75 microns will be mentioned in the bags for identification and use.”
Proper treatment and disposal of plastic was also discussed. Assistant Commissioner Datum Gadi informed that “initiatives for establishment and operation of solid waste management plant (SWMP) of IMC are being taken up, and land for the SWMP has been finalised.”
EAC Unna suggested that shopkeepers be requested to “voluntarily come forward and discard and surrender their plastic bags to their corporators or IMC/market associations.”
It was also decided that a committee/flying squad will be formed to check and seize banned plastic items from shops/vendors.
The IMC and the APSPCB will take the responsibility of disposing of all seized plastic bags and similar items. (DIPRO)
