With Odisha preparing up for a complete ban on the use of plastic bags, polythene and single-use plastic from October 2, 2018, the State Government on Wednesday announced draft guidelines on limitations to be imposed.
As per the guidelines published by Forest and Environment Department, sale, trade, manufacture, import, storing, carrying, transport and use or distribution of polythene and single-use plastic have been restricted incorporation areas of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela and Sambalpur besides Puri Municipality.
No one can take polythene bags of any shape, thickness, and size, water bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate and litter public place with any plastic item. Restrictions have also been put on single-use disposable cutleries made of thermocol (polystyrene) or plastic such as a dish, spoon, cup, plate, glass, fork, bowl, straw, a pouch to store liquid and container of any shape and size and thermocol decorative materials.
Vendors will be permitted to use polythene sheets not less than 50 microns thick for storing, transporting, dispensing or packaging of the article, commodity, food items, consumables including drinking water, mineral water, packaging of juice and milk products and edible oil in a sealed manner.
The ban, however, has eliminated plastic and polythene packaging materials used in plant nurseries, horticulture, agriculture and healthcare sectors like medicines, blood transportation bags, sample or specimen bags, resealable bags, medical instruments, and accessories.
The authorities and owners of houses of religious worship, institutions, hotels, restaurants and other places like wedding or party halls, offices and outdoor event managers will be responsible for assuring strict compliance of directions. They will provide space for a collection of plastic waste within their campus and returning the same to the manufacturers or suppliers. Manufacturers or producers of drinking water bottles and milk processing units will bring back bottles and plastic waste through the same retail sales network.
While cinema theater owners in the State will exhibit slides on the restriction of plastic use for one year, Centre for Environmental Studies will conduct a public awareness campaign in this regard. The municipal commissioner or administrative officer of the respective public local bodies will take steps to implement the limitations and get suitable methods for collection and disposal or recycling of many types of plastic items.
As we are well informed, plastic is useful, strong and affordable and as a result, we use it every day. However, the distribution of single-use plastic is a big difficulty for our planet as it takes decades for it to cut down and some of it cannot be reused. Decreasing the quantity of plastic waste improves our atmosphere as a whole, our health and the well-being of wildlife. But it also makes business sense as reducing plastic could save businesses money and environment within their day-to-day operations.
For eg. Workly, a Coworking Space in South Delhi uses only biodegradable products at their shared office spaces. Their first step was to avoid the use of plastic water bottles. They also fixed the water locations where attendees can refill reusable bottles and glasses from jugs or glass bottles can manage to prompt reductions in plastic use. The basic step they did was to avoid using disposable cups and cutlery at events by using washable cups, crockery, and metal cutlery. Disposable catering products such as milk bottles, sugar sachets, and individually covered, biscuits also contribute to the huge quantity of plastic waste. Providing milk jugs, sugar bowls and plates of biscuits is a great way to avoid this unnecessary waste.
Businesses like workly can surely make positive steps by taking positive action when it comes to cutting back on plastic use within our work atmosphere.The goal of workly is to make their coworking spaces as planet friendly spaces.