The State Government’s plastic ban order came into force in six cities from Gandhi Jayanti on Tuesday. Use of polythene bags, thermocol and other plastic products were prohibited in the Municipal Corporations of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Brahmapur, Rourkela and Sambalpur and the Municipality of Puri.
After three months, the ban would be extended to the remaining Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), official sources said.
As per an order of the Forest and Environment Department, no person can sell, trade, manufacture, import, store, carry, transport, use or distribute polythene and single-use plastic.
No one can carry polythene bags of any shape, thickness and size (excluding compostable), drinking water packed in polythene terephthalate bottles of less than 500 ml capacity and litter any public place with any plastic item, the order said.
Restrictions have also been put on single use disposable cutlery made up of thermocol (polystyrene), polyurethane or plastic such as dish, spoon, cup, plate, glass, fork, bowl and pouch to store liquid and container of any shape and size except for packing and sale of milk as well as other ancillary milk products besides thermocol decorative materials like flowers.
Vendors would not be allowed to use polythene sheets of less than 50-micron thickness for storing, transporting, dispensing or packaging of any article or commodity or food items, consumables, packaging of milk and milk products and edible oil in sealed manner.
The order, however, excludes plastic for carrying and transporting garbage and containers like cup for milk products including curd and ice-cream, polythene packaging materials used in plant nurseries, horticulture, agriculture and healthcare sector like medicines, blood transportation bags, syringe, sample or specimen bags, re-sealable bags, medical instruments and accessories.
Manufacturers, dealers and major commercial establishments would have to undergo a minimum punishment of five years of jail term and fine up to Rs one lakh for flouting the norms.
However, there is no provision to penalise people for using plastic bags.