Plastic carrybags completely banned in 17 states, UTs: Govt

Altogether 17 states and Union territories have imposed complete ban on manufacture, sale and use of plastic carrybags, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

"In the country, 17 states and UTs have imposed complete ban on manufacture, stock, sale and use of plastic carrybags, through directions or notifications and executive orders," Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said in a written reply.

He was asked whether some states have strictly banned the use of polythene bags.

The minister said use of plastic carry bags has been partially banned in some pilgrimage centres, tourist and historical places located in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

"There is no proposal to impose ban on the use of polythene bags completely throughout the country," he said when asked whether there is a possibility of banning the use of polythene bags throughout the country to protect the environment.

The government has notified the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, which regulate manufacture, sale, distribution and use of plastic carry bags including those of compostable plastic, and plastic sheets for packaging or wrapping applications, he said.

The use of carry bags made from conventional plastic with thickness less than 50 micron is prohibited while the use of plastic for packaging gutkha, tobacco and pan masala is also prohibited, the minister added.