The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday issued an order banning the use of plastic in the state from July 15. “I hope people will stop using plastic cups, glass, and polythene at every level from July 15,” Chief Minister Adityanath said. “We will require everyone’s cooperation to implement this move.”
Uttar Pradesh is the second state after Maharashtra to announce a ban on plastic in recent days. The Maharashtra government banned plastic from June 23, and announced that it would fine Rs 5,000 for the first offence, Rs 10,000 for the second, and up to Rs 25,000 and a three-month jail term for repeated violations.
The government of Devendra Fadnavis, however, issued a notification on July 3, easing the restrictions on single-use plastic. The government’s move allows retailers and wholesalers to pack grain and groceries in plastic packets more than 50 microns thick. But the packaging has to mention the manufacturers’ name, the type of plastic, and its buyback price, the government added.
In December 2015, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved a statewide ban on the manufacture, distribution and sale of polythene carry bags that are less than 40 microns thick, Hindustan Times reported. The order followed an Allahabad High Court ruling on the matter the previous month.
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