The Himachal Pradesh government on July 7, 2018 issued a fresh notification banning the use of thermocol cutlery across the state.
The ban was announced by the state’s Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on the occasion of the World Environment Day on June 5.
The Order
The government has issued fresh notification reiterating that no person including shopkeepers, vendors, wholesalers, retailers, hawkers, rehriwalas will use thermocol cutlery in any form manufactured from non-biodegradable material as listed in Schedule under Himachal Pradesh Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1995.
As per the notification, the use and sale of thermocol cutlery, including cups, plates, glasses and spoons will invite heavy penalty. The notification also has provision for imposing penalty on those selling and littering thermocol cutlery. | ||
| Quantity | Penalty (In Rupees) | |
| Upto 100gm | 500 | |
| 101 to 500gm | 1500 | |
| 501gm to 1kg | 3000 | |
| 1.1kg to 5kg | 10000 | |
| 5.1kg to 10kg | 20000 | |
| More than 10kg | 25000 | |
Who will have to face penalties?
Any person, institution, commercial establishment, educational institution, offices, hotels, shops, restaurants, dhabas, religious institutions, industrial establishments and banquet halls causing a breach of the prohibition shall be liable for penalties.
When will the ban come into effect?
The state government has set three months deadline for the manufactures, dealers and shopkeepers selling thermocol cutlery across the state to dispose of their stocks.
Objective and Impact
The main aim behind the ban is to reduce plastic waste and to check sale and use of thermocol cutlery in the state.
Hence, the ban would not only help in environment conservation, but also promote eco-tourism in the state.
Background
• The development comes a month after the Himachal Pradesh state government launched its “Plastic Hatao Himachal Bachao” campaign.
• On June 5, International Environment Day, the state government had announced ban on the use of plastic bottles at public functions and government offices.
• Recently, the state government’s secretariat administration had passed an executive order directing all the government offices to shed the use of plastic bottles for carrying water.
• It had also directed all the offices of different departments, corporations and boards to discard use of plastic bottles for serving water.
• The state government is also considering providing steel bottles to children studying in government schools under Mukhya Mantri Vardi Yojana.
• In 2009, Himachal Pradesh had become the first state in country to ban the use of plastic bags.
• Since then, the state government has been making efforts to reduce plastic waste in the towns and rural areas of the state.
• The state generates around two tonnes of plastic waste daily, of which large portion is littered on roadsides, mountains and in drains.
• Thermocol and plastic cutlery is currently used in many parts of the state.
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