SAS Nagar, December 25, 2024: An awareness drive was carried out by the Regional Office, Mohali, Punjab Pollution Control Board to make the general public aware about the dangers of China Door and Single Use Plastic. Giving details, Regional Officer, PPCB, Rantej Sharma said that as per the directions of Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain, sub-division-wise awareness activities have been carried out by the field staff to enforce the ban on China Door and Single Use Plastic and to make people aware about the effects of the dangers of both of these.
As part of the awareness activities, banners were put up at prominent public places like local roads and local market in all the sub-divisions (Mohali, Kharar and Derabassi) of District Mohali, wherein pamphlets were also distributed to the people. He said that the Punjab Government has implemented a comprehensive ban on single-use plastic to address environmental concerns. The Punjab Plastic Carry Bags (Manufacture, Use and Disposal) Control Act 2005 was amended in 2016 to prohibit the manufacture, storage, distribution, recycling, sale and use of plastic carry bags in all municipal areas of the state.
He further said that in line with national efforts, the state has extended the scope of the ban to include various single-use plastic items from June 1, 2022. These items include polystyrene and expanded polystyrene items, ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene for decorations, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, wrapping and packaging films around trays and sweet boxes.
To strengthen this ban, the Punjab government has proposed a complete ban on all types of plastic carry bags and packaging products, including those labelled as compostable. The initiative aims to address the existing gaps and promote sustainable waste management.