Jugsalai Cracks Down on Single-Use Plastic Through Public Awareness Drive

Jamshedpur: As part of the World Environment Day Week celebrations from June 5 to 12, the Jugsalai Municipal Council launched a public awareness initiative by distributing annual calendars among shopkeepers across the town. The campaign aims to promote responsible plastic waste management and discourage the use of banned single-use plastic products.

The calendars contain important information on environmentally friendly alternatives to prohibited plastic items and seek to educate both traders and residents about reducing plastic pollution and protecting the environment.

Awareness on Plastic Ban Rules

Municipal officials highlighted the provisions of the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Under these regulations, the use of plastic carry bags weighing less than 60 GSM has been prohibited since September 30, 2021. Additionally, plastic carry bags and products with a thickness below 120 microns have been banned since December 31, 2022.

The council also reiterated that the manufacture, import, storage, distribution, sale and use of several single-use plastic products have been prohibited across the country since July 1, 2022.

List of Banned Single-Use Plastic Items

Officials informed shopkeepers that the ban covers items such as plastic-stemmed earbuds, balloon sticks, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks and thermocol decorative materials. It also includes disposable plastic cutlery such as plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, straws and trays.

Other prohibited items include plastic wrapping films used around sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets, PVC banners with a thickness below 100 microns, and plastic stirrers.

Violation of Rules a Punishable Offence

The Municipal Council warned that the import, storage, distribution, sale and use of banned plastic products are punishable offences under the Plastic Waste Management Rules and the Jharkhand Municipal Act. Shopkeepers were urged to strictly comply with the regulations and avoid stocking prohibited materials.

Appeal for Eco-Friendly Alternatives

The council appealed to residents and traders to switch to sustainable alternatives such as jute, paper and cloth bags, along with other biodegradable and compostable products. Citizens were also encouraged to use traditional leaf plates, including Sal leaf plates, instead of plastic and thermocol disposable items.

Officials stated that reducing plastic consumption is essential for safeguarding public health and preserving the environment for future generations.

Support Sought for ‘Plastic-Free Jugsalai’ Mission

Shopkeepers possessing banned plastic materials have been requested to deposit them at the Jugsalai Municipal Council office at the earliest and cooperate with the administration’s “Plastic-Free Jugsalai” campaign. The initiative is being undertaken under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 programme.

Carrying the message “Say No to Plastic, Say Yes to Life,” the campaign seeks to build greater public participation in creating a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Jugsalai.

Officials Present

Among those present during the awareness drive were City Manager Rajendra Kumar, Junior Engineer Tanuj Jain, Revenue Inspector Naseem Khan, Rahul Kumar Das, Umesh Prajapati, Sanitation Expert Amrita Sakshi, Sanitation Supervisor Dinesh Kumar Mahto, Haseen Khan and other municipal personnel.