MYSURU: Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has imposed a blanket ban on all kinds of single-use plastic products with effect from July 1 in the city.
The ban is imposed on single-use plastic items which are low in utility, but have high littering potential.
Prohibited items include plastic sticks, earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, thermocol or polystyrene decoration, balloons with plastic sticks; cutlery items like cups, glasses, cups, forks, spoons, straws, trays , knives and stirrers for tea or coffee; wrapping/packing plastic materials like sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners which are less than 100 microns.
The ban also extends to the sale, stocking, distribution and export of such plastic products in all shops, shopping malls. Sale of these products near schools, colleges, educational institutions, hospitals has also been banned.
The ban will also be extended to cancelling the license of commercial establishments which either sell or use these plastic products. According to a press release, the board will collect a penalty of Rs 5,000 per tonne of plastic collection for violation during surprise raids by local civic officials as per the guidelines issued by Central Pollution Control Board.
