Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Corporation to enforce ban on plastics

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: The City Corporation may take up a combined operation with the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) to enforce the ban on plastic carry bags and cups with thickness less than 50 microns. This follows a direction issued by the Minister for Local Self Government Paloli Mohammed Kutty, directing local bodies across the State to strictly implement the Government notification banning the sale and use of recycled plastic bags.

The notification was issued on December 16, 2006. The Government later granted a period of one month for traders to dispose of existing stocks.

The Minister directed the Local Self Government Principal Secretary, the Urban Affairs Director and the Panchayat Director to initiate action against local body secretaries who fail to implement the order. He said the recycled plastic bags were a major source of pollution. They block drainage systems, lead to stagnation of water and provide conditions conducive for breeding of vectors, he pointed out in his letter to the heads of local bodies.

The Government has also appealed for the production and popularisation of cloth and paper bags to substitute the plastic versions. Mr. Paloli Mohammed Kutty called on residents associations to cooperate with the Government in enforcing the ban on plastics.

Corporation officials said the modalities of the crackdown would be finalised after discussions. "We propose to declare a cut-off date and initiate action against offenders," an official said.

According to the notification, indiscriminate use and wanton discard of carry bags made of plastic and halogenated material has been creating environmental problems. All manufacturers of plastic carry bags are required to obtain registration from the State Pollution Control Board.

The thickness in micron, material and identity of manufacturer will have to be printed on each carry bag and container.

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