KSPCB to hold meeting on ban on littering of cigarette butts

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has called a meeting of officials from different departments as well as tobacco products manufacturing companies to discuss the modalities of enforcing a ban on littering of bidi and cigarette butts.

The call for a meeting, scheduled on March 15, comes four months after the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) issued guidelines for disposal of cigarette and bidi butts.

Citing adverse impact of littering on environment and health, the CPCB had recommended a set of measures from creating awareness among public and manufacturers to a ban on littering of used products like cigarette butts which have to be segregated with dry waste.

The CPCB wants commercial establishments to either recycle or dispose through end of life methods. "Instruction for safe disposal of cigarette butts to be clearly provided on each cigarette packet," the board said.

As per the notice, the meeting will discuss the ways to implement the recommendations.