Ban from July 1 and the all important question on July 6...
How effective is the ban on single use plastic ?
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 06 2022: The ban on single use plastic (SUP) which came into effect from July 1 has apparently run into challenges at several levels in Manipur, from enforcement to a lack of awareness among the public and availability of viable alternatives among others.

During a field survey, items such as packaged drinking water bottle (less than 1 litre), plastic cups, plates and spoons which have been banned by the Government under Manipur Plastic Policy 2022 were still found used in rituals and feasts despite the ban while a large chunk of shopkeepers and consumers still use plastic bags lesser than 75 micron thick for daily sales and purchase.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, some mineral water bottle dealers said that they no longer sell packaged drinking water bottles which are less than 1 litre capacity though there are some stocks of 1/2 litre bottles with them.

How effective is the ban on single use plastic ?

Notably, the State has banned SUP such as PET bottles lesser than 1 litre capacity, plastic carry bags less than 75 microns in thickness, non woven plastic carry bag less than 60 gram per square metre, earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloon, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, thermocol for decoration, plastic plates, cups, spoons and few other items under the Manipur Plastic Policy from July 1 onwards to curb plastic pollution.

Though the State has already directed the Directors of MAHUD, TA & Hills RD & PR and other enforcement agencies to monitor the implementation of the plastic policy, the Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) which also is an important authority seems to be paying not much attention to the initiative to phase out single use plastic as an important functionary of the Corporation was found not aware of the implementation of the Manipur Plastic Policy 2022 .

On being asked what initiative the IMC has taken to enforce the Manipur Plastic Policy properly, the Mayor of IMC responded that he has not been apprised of anything of the policy to date.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Member Secretary of Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) T Mangi said that they have taken up certain measures to implement the Manipur Plastic Policy effectively so as to reduce plastic pollution.

Saying that the Board will carry out a poster campaign and publish advertisements in newspapers to make people aware of the policy, Mangi added that he had written to the Directors of MAHUD, TA & Hills and RD & PR to start taking actions against those who defy the new policy.

Continuing that plastic pollution is a significant threat to biodiversity, he maintained that humans are also being exposed to consuming microplastics via many channels due to increased dependence on plastic for many purposes.

He further stated plastic waste clogs canals and open drains and it leads to artificial flooding during the monsoon.

Though district administrations, Municipal Corporations/Councils, Nagar Panchayats, ADCs and Gram Panchayats are the enforcement authority of the policy, hardly any initiative has been taken up at locality level to discontinue usage of the banned plastic items.

As per the provision of Manipur Plastic Policy, responsibilities of the ULBs, ADCs and GPs include setting up of for segregation, collection, storage, transportation, processing and disposal of the plastic waste either on its own or by engaging other agencies and operation of Plastic Waste Management Cells (PWMCs).

However, there is no such infrastructure even in Imphal let alone in rural areas and as such plastic litter problem continues in the State.