Assam: Single-use plastic items banned in government offices

LAKHIMPUR: Initiating stringent steps in order to control pollution and curb plastic wastes, Lakhimpur District Magistrate Sumit Sattawan has banned single-use plastic items in all government offices of the district. In this regard, the District Magistrate has issued a notification vide No. E-12675/ DFA/ 140202 in pursuance of Letter No. NLMB(G).22/2023-24/144, Dated 27/10/2023 received from the Executive Officer, North Lakhimpur Municipal Board. The step has been initiated in accordance with the directions served to the District Magistrate from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change vide Notification No. GSR.571( E ), dtd 12/08/2023 & Environment & Forest Department, Govt. of Assam vide Notification eCF No.338122/24, dated 23/08/2023 and Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules-2021 to issue notification for imposing ban on the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of various single use plastics (SUPs) in all government offices.

The notification has banned ear-buds with plastic sticks, plastic stick for balloons, plastic flags, candy-sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoon, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers. Plastic carry bags less than 120 microns in thickness has been banned with effect from December 31, 2022, use of plastic water bottles below 1000 ml capacity.

This order has come into force across the district with immediate effect. The notification further remarked that proliferation of single-use plastics around the world is accelerating environmental pollution and should be urgently stopped. Therefore, the Government of Assam, with a view to ban single use plastics, has decided to combat against the hazards of single-use plastic for safeguarding the environment against plastic waste and to encourage use of sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives and to promote responsible plastic use.

Also Read:2nd phase of Fundamental Literacy and Numeracy training for teachers concludes in Doomdooma

Also Watch: