Pune Cantonment Board acts tough on shops selling single use plastic items
The Government of India, MoEF has notified the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 on 1803.2016, which are applicable to all Local Bodies including Cantonment Boards.
In this regard, the Pune Cantonment Board has already issued public notices on 07.06.2022 in the Local Newspapers for the information on the ban imposed, notices have been served on 06.06.2022 to shopkeepers, stockists & distributors banning the use of Single Use Plastic, pamphlets have been distributed & banners have been displayed in the congested area for creating awareness amongst the public.
The Board has also been directed by the higher authorities to initiate action under Sub Section 5 of Section 289 under Cantonments Act, 2006. Accordingly, the Health Department of the Pune Cantonment Board conducted drives in the Cantonment Area on 07.07.2022 and plastics seized to the quantum of 450 Kgs and fines have been levied on 14 defaulters amounting to Rs. 45,000 -.
The plastics seized will be transported to the Processing Plant of the Board for recycling. Similar drives will be conducted by the Board on commercial establishments, shopping centres, markets, vendors etc.
Under Rule 6 made responsible for development and setting up infrastructure operationalization and co-ordination of Plastic Waste Management System, 2016. As per the Gazette of India No. 459 dated 12.08.2021, no person shall manufacture, storage, supply, sell, transport or distribute / use single used plastic (<75 micron) / throw away plastic, plastic carry bags or plastic flags, plastic sheets used for food wrapping, spreading plastic plates, plastic coated tea bags, plastic straws non-woven bags, thermocol, multi level packaging or any other plastic product in violation of the provision of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
As per Rule 4 (2) of the PWM Rules, 2016, (as amended) , “The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale & use of the following single use plastic including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene commodities shall be prohibited w.e.f. July, 2022’.
(a) ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration.
(b) Plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners, less than 100 micron, stirrers.
