Kerala Bans Single-Use Plastic From January 2020
Kerala government decided to enforce a state-wide ban on single-use plastic beginning January 1, 2020. The decision was taken in the wake of extreme environmental and health effects caused by single-use plastics in the state. Those violating the government ban would be charged under strict provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
The government decision is in line with the recommendations put forward by an expert technical committee formed to evaluate the usage of plastic. The expert committee report had stated that plastic usage had come down by over 70 per cent after bans were enforced in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
Banned plastic products include:
Plastic carry bag irrespective of the width, plastic sheets for tables, cooling films, plates, cups, single-use plastic cups, plates, spoon, fork, straw, dishes, paper cups and plates with plastic coating, plastic flags, plastic water pouches, plastic juice packets, pet bottles under 300 ml capacity, plastic garbage bag, PVC flex materials and plastic packet.
Plastic products that are exported, plastic products used in the health sector and those made from compostable plastic have been exempted from the ban.
The government also decided to initiate legal action against those who defy the ban under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Manufacturers, wholesalers and small-time retailers violating the ban would be fined with Rs 10,000. Second-time offenders would be fined Rs 25,000. If laws are violated again by such persons, they would be fined Rs 50,000 and their licenses cancelled. Secretaries of municipalities, corporations, block panchayats and village panchayats can enforce the rules, apart from officials of the pollution control board, district collectors and district magistrates.
The law also includes provisions for citizens to encash plastic waste.
The government added that five per cent of the land owned by industrial parks must be set aside for the treatment and recycling of heavy waste. Companies producing environment-friendly alternatives to plastic bags would be encouraged by the government.
