The Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) has imposed a strict ban on single-use plastic items and plastic carry bags below 120 microns across its jurisdiction, officials said on Wednesday, August 12.
In an order issued by IMC Joint Commissioner Khoda Lasa, commercial establishments, shops, supermarkets, hotels, eateries and street vendors have been directed to immediately discontinue the use of prohibited plastic products and shift to eco-friendly and biodegradable alternatives.
The banned items include plastic-stemmed earbuds, balloon sticks, plastic flags, candy and ice-cream sticks, thermocol decorations, plastic plates, cups, cutlery, straws, wrapping films used for sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, PVC banners below 100 microns and plastic stirrers.
The manufacture, stocking, distribution, sale and transportation of plastic carry bags below 120 microns and non-biodegradable packaging sachets have also been prohibited under the order.
Traders dealing in plastic packaging have been instructed to comply with mandatory statutory labelling requirements prescribed under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The IMC said the restrictions would be enforced through regular inspections, surprise checks and special enforcement drives across the municipal area.
The civic body has also warned residents and businesses against littering or improperly disposing of plastic waste in drains, public roads, parks, markets and water bodies within the IMC jurisdiction.
The corporation urged residents, traders and other business owners to cooperate with the initiative aimed at reducing non-biodegradable single-use plastic and maintaining cleanliness and sanitation across Itanagar.
