Single use plastic items banned in Bangalore and penalty charges if violated

Muniappa , a resident of Banashankari - who regularly shops for veggies in bulk at the local market had to return back only with a handful of shopping. He was found carrying only a handful of brown paper bags.  The shop keepers who before used large plastic covers had started using brown covers . It was the effect of a plastic usage ban guidelines introduced in that week , where some violaters were fined. With a view to reduce the use of plastic and promote environment awareness , the Karnataka State Pollution Control Boards (KSPCB) issued guidelines and policy for ban of Single-use plastic commodity.

As per KSPCB , Single use plastic commodity means a plastic item intended to be used once for the same purpose before being disposed of or recycled . Below are the list of such items shared by KSPCB in its circular.

• Ear buds with plastic stick
• Ballon with plastic stick
• Plastic flags
• Plastic Candy sticks
• Plastic Icecream sticks
• Thermocol for decoration
• Plastic plates
• Plastic cups / glasses
• Plastic cutlery
• Plastic straws
• Plastic trays
• Wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes
• Plastic/PVC Banners (Not less than 100 Microns)
• Wrapping or packing film around invitation cards
• Wrapping or packing film around cigarattes
• Plastic stirrers used while serving beverages
• Any plastic carry bag having carrying features used as secondary packaging in any size or thickness is not ALLOWED to produce, sell, stock, or use in Karnataka as per the Plastic Ban Notification of 2016.

KSPCB may conducts random inspections with through its marshals and inspection team. Violaters will be be strictly subjected to penalty charges for non compliance as per below rules.

Rule 1 - 4(c) Carry bag made of virgin or recycled plastic of any size or thickness , producer or manufacturer of such items will be charged with actions such as Seizure of the products , closure of the unit , violation charges for every ton of bags manufactured , 1st time violation Rs.5,000/- , 2nd time violation Rs.10,000/- , 3rd time violation Rs.20,000/-

Rule 2 - 4(d) Plastic sheet or like, which is not an integral part of multi-layered packaging and cover made of plastic heet used for packaging, wrapping the commodity shall not be less than 50 microns , producer or manufacturer of such items will be charged with actions such as Seizure of the products , closure of the unit , violation charges for every ton of bags manufactured , 1st time violation Rs.5,000/- , 2nd time violation Rs.10,000/- , 3rd time violation Rs.20,000/-

Rule 3 - 14(1) Retailers or street vendors shall not sell or provide commodities to consumer in carry bags or plastic sheet or multi-layered packaging, which are not manufactured and labelled or marked . Violating Retailers / Street Vendors may be penalized with seizure of the products.  For the 3rd time violation penalty plus seizure of trade documents - 1st time violation Rs.2,000/- , 2nd time violation Rs.5,000/- , 3rd time violation Rs.10,000/-

There were similar rules enforced in the past , which slowly got diluted . How effective this new rule gets followed in future , shall depend on how its effectively monitored regularly. Do share your comments.