Thane: The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) chief Dr.Vipin Sharma has ordered an effective implementation of ban on single use plastics in the city as per the guidelines given by the central and state governments regarding plastic ban from July 1.
In this regard, Additional Commissioner of TMC Sanjay Herwade directed the staff of Pollution Control Department, all sanitation inspectors to strictly ban plastic in each ward committee.
Sanjay Herwade held a review meeting at Narendra Ballal Hall in TMC on Friday, July 1 regarding the plastic ban and there he directed all the officials to follow the government guidelines and strictly enforce the ban on single-use plastics and take punitive action against those who use plastics.
The revised Plastic Waste Management Rules 2021 notified by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in August 2021 prohibits the use of single-use plastic items.
As per the government guidelines Plastic, polystyrene (thermocol) candy boxes for decoration, plastic wrap for invitation cards and cigarette packets, earrings with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks plates, cups, glasses, cutlery, trays, stirrers, PVC banners less than 100 microns in thickness are banned.
In addition, some things have been banned under the Maharashtra Plastics and Thermocol Notification 2018. It prohibits compostable plastic (except garbage and nursery bags), all types of plastic bags (including carry bags, non-woven bags), handled and non-handled bags, dishes, bowls, containers etc.
Sanjay Herwade, additional commissioner, TMC said, "The use of single use plastics has been banned across the country since July 1, and the establishments using them are being penalized. As per the plastic and thermocol notification, a fine of Rs 500 will be levied on ordinary citizens who use plastic. For shopkeepers, fruit and vegetable sellers, traders, the first offense carries a fine of Rs 5,000, the second offense Rs 10,000 and the third offense Rs 25,000 and three months imprisonment."
Meanwhile, through the education department of the corporation, under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Anagha Kadam, instructions have been given to hold a review meeting of all group heads and group officers to create awareness among the students about plastic ban at the school level.
As per the Government's Plastic Waste Management Rules 2021, in order to strictly enforce the ban on the use of single-use plastics, large teams have been formed in each ward committee. This includes Pollution Control Department staff and hygiene inspections. These squads will take punitive action against establishments using plastic by making sudden raids in the city.
