Odisha Govt Issues Draft Guidelines On Plastic Ban

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has issued draft guidelines on the restrictions, ahead of the plastic ban to be imposed in the state from October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.

According to guidelines issued by the Forest and Environment Department, there will be restriction on sale, trade, manufacture, import, storing, carrying, transport and use or distribution of polythene and single-use plastic in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela, Sambalpur and Puri municipalities.

Vendors will be allowed to use polythene sheets not less than 50 micron thick. However, plastic and polythene packaging materials used in plant nurseries, agriculture, horticulture and healthcare sector, including medicines, blood transportation bags, syringe, sample or specimen bags, resealable bags and medical instruments, have been exempted from the ambit of ban.

Owners of places of religious worship, institutions, hotels, restaurants and other places like marriage or party halls, offices and outdoor events are required to provide space for collection of plastic waste within their campus and returning the same to the manufacturers or suppliers.

The municipal commissioners or executive officers have been directed to take adequate steps to implement the restrictions specified under this order and make suitable arrangements for collection and disposal or recycling of any type of plastics item within their jurisdiction.