Delhi to phase-out single-use plastic ban from 1 July

Delhi Government has geared up for the ban on 19 single-use plastic ban items with an action plan. The phasing out will be conducted, in accordance with Delhi Environment Department, Pollution Control Committee, general administration, Education Department and Urban Local Bodies.

The 19 identified single-use plastic (SUP) items include earbuds, plastic sticks for balloons, flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol), plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, wrapping or packaging films around sweets boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron and stirrers.

A plastic waste monitoring dashboard has been set up, and door-to-door sensitization and outreach campaigns have also been organised to ensure elimination of SUPs from July 1.

Regular public notices have been circulated directing producers and recyclers to apply for registration too. Letters asking to comply with Central Pollution Control Board have also been issued to 4960 units of plastic items manufacturers. Moreover, awareness camps at Bawana and Narela industrial areas were set up to talk with plastic producers about their duties.

The Sriram Institute has been tasked to survey all major commercial establishments, malls, marketplaces, shopping centres, cinema houses, restaurants, tourist locations, places of worship, colleges, schools, office complexes, hospitals, and other institutions.

So far, 19 markets of Delhi have been surveyed by the institute to check the usage of compost plastic bags and none were found to be using or storing compost plastic bags. 

The ‘Delhi Green’ app has been upgraded to facilitate prompt grievance disposal. All the District Magistrates (DMs) of Delhi have been requested to ensure zero inventories by June 30.