Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 22

The Himachal Government has banned one-time use plastic cutlery, while giving three months time to individuals, stockists and shopkeepers to dispose of their existing stock in view of the damage being caused to the environment.

The notification in this regard was issued yesterday by RD Dhiman, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Science and Technology department. The use of the banned items like spoons, bowls, katoris, stirring sticks, forks, knives and straws, made of non-biodegradable material will become an offence three months from now.

The penalty on littering this plastic cutlery by a commercial establishment will attract a fine of Rs 5,000, while the same offence by an individual will invite a penalty of Rs 1,000. The penalty in the case of plastic cutlery will be weight wise with Rs 500 for 100 gms stuff to Rs 25,000 for more than 10 kg.

However, in what could be a major relief to the units manufacturing all such one-time use plastic cutlery items within the state, the produced material can be manufactured with the condition that it would be for sale outside the state. All commercial establishments like offices, hotels, shops, restaurants, marriage halls and religious institutions would be penalised in case they are found using these banned items.

Himachal had on August 31, 2018, imposed a ban on plastic carry bags of all sizes, plastic and thermocol items having one-time use like plates and glasses, made of non-biodegradable material. “It has been noticed that the one-time plastic cutlery used for serving and consuming food is still in use and causing environmental pollution and indiscriminate littering. The ban is not giving the desired results,” said Dhiman. He said the ban would, however, come into effect three months later.

Himachal is the first state in the country to ban use of polythene bags which was causing immense damage to the fragile hill ecology. As such attempts have been made to ban polythene bags, thermocol plates, glasses and now one-time cutlery made of non-biodegradable plastic.