Units that manufacture banned items will be sealed: Environment Secretary

Even as the State-wide ban on 14 kinds of plastics and thermocol, including carry bags, comes into force on Tuesday, the State government is geared to “seal, seize and stop” those who don’t follow the rule. For the ordinary consumer, it says: “Don’t forget to carry your own cloth/jute bags or baskets for shopping since even reusing plastic carry bags could be questioned.”

Environment Secretary Shambu Kallolikar told The Hindu that their agenda would be to ensure that the ban is implemented in full. “We will seal units that manufacture such items, seize the banned items from retailers, wholesalers stockists and manufacturers and stop anything that comes from outside the State,” he said.

Notices issued

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has issued notices to 1,400 units asking them not to manufacture any of the banned items. “Most of these are multi-product manufacturers, if they continue to manufacture these items, officials will take action on the entire unit,” he said. The movement of goods across the State was being monitored online with the help of e-way bills. “We are working with the Commercial Taxes Department. If there is any suspicious movement, physical checks will also be done,” Mr. Kallolikar added. Asked about extended producers responsibility, he said that it too would soon be implemented.

Local bodies have been asked to seize banned goods, and send them to cement kilns for co-processing.

A total of 140 authorised waste handlers have also been identified for taking the plastic wastes. However, since rules for imposing fines are yet to be imposed, it will take some time for such action. Meanwhile, manufacturers protesting the ban have decided to keep their units closed.

Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peramaipu president A.M. Vikramaraja said traders had been educated to not possess any banned items. “It will no doubt be difficult for traders since they are used to giving carry bags to customers,” he said.

Meanwhile, residents have been requested to not throw banned plastic items into bins but hand them over at local body ward offices or to recyclers for safe disposal. For any enquiries, consumers can call the helpline numbers 044 - 22343153 or 8056042121.