Tamil Nadu to ban disposable plastic from next year

Th ban comes into effect from January 1, 2019

KERALA, KOCHI,10/09/2013: Many of the plastic bags used widely to carry materials do not conform to the stipulated standards. Bags below 40 microns in thickness have been banned. The picture shows plastic carry bags in the hands of customers in Kochi on Tuesday. Photo:K_K_Mustafah

The State government on Tuesday announced a ban on manufacture, sales, storage and usage of disposable plastic across State with effective from January 1, 2019.

Making a suo motu statement in the Assembly here, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said that the announcement was based on the recommendations of an expert panel constituted by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in this regard.

However, the ban excludes using disposable plastic for packaging milk, curd, oil and medical utilities, Mr. Palaniswami said.

The ban was primarily on plastic carry bags, plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic flags, small plastic sachets used in packaging water, among others, he said.

The disposal of such plastic material affected the flow of waste water and drainage and deeply affected the ground water table, the Chief Minister pointed out.