SHILLONG, July 15: In a joint crackdown on the illegal sale of plastic products, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), Shillong Municipal Board, and the district administration conducted a surprise raid in the city, seizing a large volume of prohibited plastic items from commercial hubs.
The enforcement team inspected Laban Last Stop, Laban Iewdak, Jail Road and Polo Market, where they confiscated a range of banned plastic products, including single-use cups and glasses, which continue to be sold despite being outlawed under national and state regulations.
Senior Environmental Engineer of the MSPCB, Wanshan R Kharkrang, said the raid was part of intensified efforts in line with directives issued by the High Court to strictly enforce the Plastic Waste Management Rules.
He pointed out that many of the seized items were in direct violation of the law either being below the permitted thickness of 120 microns or lacking manufacturer details and certification from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
“Despite repeated public notifications, these illegal plastic products are still circulating widely in the market,” Kharkrang noted.
Apart from confiscating non-compliant plastic goods, the enforcement team also used the opportunity to inform and caution shopkeepers about the legal implications of stocking unverified plastic items. Officials advised vendors to use QR codes on packaging to check whether products meet CPCB standards before selling them.
The authorities have indicated that such enforcement drives will continue in other parts of the city to curb the persistent sale of banned plastics and ensure adherence to environmental laws.
