PPCB for complete ban on plastic bags

Patiala, October 9
Notwithstanding the fact that the Punjab Government had imposed a ban on the manufacture, disposal and usage of polythene bags in the state recently, renowned environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal, Executive Director of Kheti Virasat Mission Umendra Dutt and Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) chairman KS Pannu have advocated a complete ban on the use of non-biodegradable plastic carry bags.
According to the environmentalists, non-biodegradable plastic carry bags pollute the environment and must be banned.
The state government had enforced the Punjab Plastic Carry Bags (Manufacture, Usage and Disposal) Control Act on May 1, prohibiting the use of the plastic of thickness not less than 30-micron. While the Punjab Government has imposed a ban on plastic of thickness not less than 30-micron, the neighbouring states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh had already imposed a total ban on the manufacture, distribution, stocking, recycling, selling or using plastic carry bags.
Speaking to The Tribune, Seechewal said, “In the wake of the fact that non-biodegradable plastic is bound to pollute the environment, the state government must impose a complete ban on the use of plastic carry bags”.
He added that if proper steps were not taken on time, the coming generations would suffer on account of the polluted environment in the state.
Notably, the environmentalists had been repeatedly stating that the fertility of soil in the state was getting affected adversely due to the indiscriminate disposal of polythene in an unscientific manner.
Executive Director of Kheti Virasat Mission Umendra Dutt said the state government should chalk out a comprehensive plan for providing an alternate option to plastic carry bags and should subsequently implement a complete ban on the use of plastics and polythenes in a phased manner.
“Plastic plates, glasses and other such material used for packaging food should be immediately banned. Special drives should be undertaken to ensure that plastic is not being used at food joints, eating outlets and food vendors on the streets,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pannu said it was appreciable that the state government had imposed a ban on the use of the plastics of thickness not less than 30-micron.
“My personal opinion is that the government should impose a complete ban on the use of plastic carry bags in order to ensure that the environment is not polluted,” he said.
He added that the PPCB was conducting surprise checks in the state to ensure strict compliance of the ban on the use of plastic of thickness less than 30-micron.
The Punjab Plastic Carry Bags (Manufacture, Usage and Disposal) Control Act specified that no person would throw in any drain, ventilation shaft, pipe and fitting connected with private or public drainage, public place, any non-biodegradable garbage or plastic or biodegradable garbage in a non-biodegradable bag.
However, despite the enforcement of the Act, the state government has miserably failed to ensure its proper implementation, as the norms of the Act are being grossly violated in various parts of the state.