DIMAPUR, June 20 - The Nagaland Government today announced a total ban on single-use plastics in the State following the State Cabinet�s approval on June 10.
The order follows the State Government�s earlier notification on the �policy for restricting the use of plastics in Nagaland�.
�The Governor of Nagaland is pleased to impose total ban on all single-use plastics in Nagaland with a view to eradicate the menace of plastic and the serious environmental and ecological challenges posed by rampant use of plastics,� Secretary to the Nagaland Government, N Nyanbemo Tsanglao, said in a notification on Thursday.
However, the ban will come into effect three months after the date of publication in the official gazette dated June 17, 2019 in public interest as well as to allow manufacturers, stockists and shopkeepers to dispose of their stocks.
The notification said all single-use plastic products such as plastic carry bags irrespective of thickness and size, plastic cutlery, including plates, plastic cups, straws, stirrers, etc., cutlery and other decorative items made of styrofoam (thermocol), polythene, nylon, polyvinyl carbohydrates, polypropylene and polystyrene have been totally banned.
�Single-use plastics, often also referred to as disposable plastics (use-and-throw items), are commonly used for plastic packaging and include items intended to be used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These include, among other items, carry bags, food packaging, bottles, straws, containers, cups and cutlery,� it said.
The notification said every individual, institution or commercial establishment will have to stick to the total ban. It warned that any breach would invite penalties.
The notification said the district administration or local bodies would decide and levy penalties on the defaulters within their respective jurisdictions.
