Single-use plastic ban in Gurugram: 717 fined over Rs 5 lakh in 3 weeks

Gurugram: MCG has issued 717 challans to the tune of Rs 5.17 lakh against the use of banned single-use plastic (SUP) items in the last three weeks since the ban was implemented. MCG has also seized 1,457 kg of banned plastic from the city. Out of the mentioned amount, Rs 2.88 lakh has been recovered from the violators.
The list of banned items includes earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration, plastic plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing items around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron and stirrers. For violating the ban, the defaulters will have to pay minimum Rs 500 and maximum Rs 25,000, depending on the weight of the plastic.
“We have constituted seven teams to keep a check on the use of SUPs. The teams of Haryana Pollution Control Board are also checking the city markets. The joint teams of both of the departments are conducting checks,” MCG commissioner Mukesh Kumar Ahuja said.
The teams have issued 222 challans of the order of Rs 1.1 lakh and confiscated 125 kg of single-use plastic from zone 1, 160 challans amounting to Rs 86,500 and seized 150 kg of plastic from zone 2, 152 challans of Rs 1.84 lakh and seized 547 kg of plastic from zone 3. Moreover, 183 challans of up to Rs 13.6 lakh have been issued and 635 kg of SUPs has been confiscated from zone 4.
MCG on July 14 had also launched plastic-free clean Gurgaon campaign, under which an awareness campaign was carried out targeting schools, societies and markets. As a part of the campaign, a booklet mentioning the banned single-use plastics and their alternatives was launched.