Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday attributed his government’s decision to ban the use of plastics in environmental interest from January 1, 2019, as a culmination of the efforts taken in this regard by former Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa in 2002.
Speaking in the Assembly where he disclosed the state government’s June 25 gazette notification on the ban of one-time, throwaway plastics, following the announcement made on June 5 World Environment Day, Mr. Palaniswami said that the former Chief Minister had introduced the ‘Tamil Nadu Plastic Articles (Prohibition of Sale, Storage, Transport and Use) Bill in 2002, with the view to curb the menace of non-biodegradable plastics on the environment. The bill was then sent to the House Select Committee for further discussion after request from the plastics industry representatives.
The latest gazette notification issued by Ms. Nasimuddin, principal secretary of Environment and Forests, has detailed the directions of the ban and laid down rules and regulations to be followed when the plastics ban comes into force from January 1, 2019.
“No industry or person shall manufacture, store, supply, transport, sale, use or distribute throwaway plastics,” the gazette read. Plastics specially manufactured for exports, plastics which are an integral part of the packaging of goods, bags, and sheets used in forestry and horticulture nurseries, packing of milk and milk products and carry bags made from compostable plastics which are identified with the IS or ISO standards will all be exempted, it said.
To avoid misinterpretation, the gazette also explained “throwaway plastics,” as plastic carry bags, sheets, food wrapping, straws, water pouches, etc. The ban aims to free the State from the use of plastic papers, covers, plates, cups, straws, and flags. The ban also aims to stop industries from manufacturing and selling these items.
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