A blanket ban on use and manufacture of ‘single-use plastics and plastic products’ will come into force in less than a week in the limits of Vijayawada Municipal Corporation.
A gazette notification in this regard was published in the Krishna District Gazette on August 21 and the rules and regulations framing ban on non-biodegradable plastics will come into force after fifteen days from the date of publication, that is, by the end of the first week of September, according to a release by VMC.
As per the directions of the government of AP, the usage of single-use plastic and its products such as plastic covers, plastic plates, disposable plastic cups, plastic papers, straws, thermocol, and water packets which are not useful for recycling are completely banned in VMC limits, according to the notification.
Sanitary inspectors, supervisors, assistant medical officers of health (AMOH) and the chief medical officer of health (CMOH) of the VMC in their respective jurisdictions have completely been authorised to prevent and take necessary legal action against violators who manufacture, store, transport, sell and use the prohibited plastic items.
As per the rules, no industry or person should manufacture, store, distribute or sell single-use plastic and plastic products.
Exempted
However, plastics manufactured exclusively for export through Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Export Oriented Units (EOU), plastic that form integral part of packaging goods that are sealed at manufacturing units, plastic sheets used in forestry, horticulture and nurseries, plastics used for packing of milk and milk products, oil, medicine and medical equipment and carry bags made of compostable plastic recognised by the Central Pollution Control Board certification and labelling have been exempted from the ban.
