Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Mar 18: Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim on Friday March 18 informed that total plastic ban in the Dakshina Kannada district would be enforced from April 15. 

He was chairing a meeting with the view to enforce the new law on ban of plastic carry bags at the deputy commissioner’s office with all the stakeholders. 

"Until now, use of plastic bags thinner than 40 microns was banned. But as per the new draft notification issued by the state government, there is a total ban on plastic carry-bags irrespective of thickness. All urban local bodies and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) have been directed by the government to enforce the ban," the DC said.

Quoting the notification which was issued on March 11, environment officer Rajashekar Puranik said, “Shopkeepers, vendors, wholesalers, retailers, traders and hawkers should not use carry-bags, banners, buntings, flexes, flags, plates, and spoons and cups made from plastic. Plastic sheets used on dining tables and thermocol products too have been banned. Its manufacture and sale have been restricted in the city. The notification makes it clear that no industry or person should manufacture, supply, store, transport, sell or distribute the products mentioned. Use of nylon bags and poly propylene bags, previously used as alternative for plastic bags when the latter were banned in the district, are also banned.

"Plastic used for packing milk and other dairy products is exempted from the ban, so also carry bags which constitute or form an integral part of the packaging of goods that are sealed right at the manufacturing and processing units. The plastic bags and sheets used in forestry and horticulture nurseries and those produced exclusively for export purposes in plastic industries located in special economic zones or export oriented units have been exempted," he added.

After convincing the plastic bag manufacturers who were present, deputy commissioner gave a deadline of March 31 to the manufacturers to clear the inventory and additional seven days for wholesalers and retailers. On the whole, the plastic ban will be completely imposed in the district from April 15 onwards. 

"According to the notification, plastic manufacturers can manufacture plastics used to seal grocery, fish, meat or any other items but the plastic should be more than 20 microns. The ban is mainly imposed on plastic-carry bags," the DC added.

Deputy commissioner directed the MCC to take up awareness drive by distributing paper, jute or cloth bags free of cost.

Zilla panchayat CEO Shrividya, MCC commissioner Gopalkrishna, ADC Kumar, joint director industries Gokuldas Nayak and others were present during the meeting.