New Delhi, Oct 3 (KNN) Odisha government has imposed a ban on the use of certain types of plastic products in six cities of the State. A letter in this regard was issued by the State Forest and Environment Department.

 “No person can sell, trade, manufacture, import, store, carry, transport, use or distribute polythene and single-use plastic in the above mentioned cities”, as per the directive issued by the concerned department, in six cities including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Puri.

Plastic items that are banned mainly includes Polythene carry bags of any shape, thickness and size and bottled drinking water in polythene terephthalate bottles of less than 200 ml capacity

Single use of disposable cutleries made up of thermocol (polystyrene), polyurethane or plastic such as dish, spoon, cup, plate, glass, fork, bowl, pouch to store liquid and container of any shape and size except for packing and sale of milk and other ancillary milk products and thermocol decorative materials like flowers are also banned.

Besides, the vendors will not be allowed to use polythene sheets of less than 50 micron thickness for storing, transporting, dispensing or packaging of any article or commodity or food items, consumables, packaging of milk and milk products and edible oil in sealed manner.

Items that are allowed includes, plastics for carrying and transporting garbage and containers like cup for milk products including curd and ice-cream, polythene packaging materials used in plant nurseries, horticulture, agriculture and healthcare sector like medicines, blood transportation bags, syringe, sample or specimen bags, re-sealable bags, medical instruments and accessories as well as packing materials used for wrapping of any items at manufacturing stage have been exempted from the restrictions.

On the other hand, littering of plastic items in public places is barred. The authorities or owners of places shall be responsible for ensuring strict compliance of the orders.

The municipal commissioners of the concerned cities have also been directed to take adequate steps to implement the restrictions and make arrangements for the collection and disposal or recycling of any type of plastic items within one month of the implementation of the ban.