By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Government has decided to be more vigilant on the use of plastic bags to safeguard the greenery of the hilly state.
Urban Affairs minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh on Tuesday convened a meeting with officials of the Shillong Municipal Board, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, district administration and police officers and decided to be more vigilant in this regard from October 2.
The meting which dwelt on the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011 decided to make the rules effective in the state.
‘‘We will set October 2 as the target date and from now on we will be hundred per cent vigilant in enforcing this act in the state,” Lyngdoh said during the meeting.
It is known that another meeting withthe Chiefs of all the municipal boards would be convened to further dwell on the details of the notification.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests notified the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 would replace the earlier Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999 (amended in 2003).
Under these Rules, the municipal authorities are responsible for setting up waste management systems including collection, storage, segregation, transportation, processing and disposal of plastic waste.
Earlier giving a presentation, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board said that as per the rules, use of plastic materials in sachets for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala has been banned.
The plastic carry bags should be white or only with those pigments and colourants which are in conformity with the bar prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) adding, that plastic carry bags should not be less than 40 microns in thickness.
The minimum size (of 8×12 inches) for the plastic carry bags prescribed under the earlier Rules has been dispensed with. Carry bags can be made from compostable plastics provided they conform to BIS standards.
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