Tamil Nadu Enforces Ban on Single-Use Plastics, Public Urged to Report Violators

The Government of Tamil Nadu, through G.O. Ms. No. 84 of the Environment & Forests Department, dated 25.06.2018, has banned the manufacture, storage, supply, transport, sale, or distribution of disposable plastic items. These include plastic carry bags (regardless of size or thickness), non-woven carry bags, plastic-coated paper plates and cups, plastic tumblers, thermocol plates and cups, plastic tea cups, plastic sheets/cling film used for food wrapping, plastic sheets used as table covers, water packets/pouches, plastic straws, and plastic flags, in order to mitigate the significant threat of pollution caused by single-use plastics.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) has also banned single-use plastic items such as plastic or PVC banners under 100 microns in thickness, cutlery including forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, wrapping or packing films around invitation cards, cigarette packets, and sweet boxes, among others.

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has undertaken various awareness initiatives to ensure effective implementation of the plastic ban. As part of its enforcement efforts, the TNPCB has identified and shut down manufacturing units producing these banned plastic items, based on regular inspections and public complaints. So far, around 240 single-use plastic manufacturing units have been closed by the TNPCB.

However, despite these efforts, it remains challenging to identify all such units, as many operate illegally in small spaces within residential or commercial areas. These units are often unorganized, lacking proper registration with government authorities, and typically operate on a temporary basis.

Therefore, environmentally conscious members of the public and nearby residents are encouraged to report any plastic manufacturing units producing banned items and operating illegally within residential or commercial zones. Complaints can be directed to the respective District Environmental Engineers of the TNPCB, whose contact details are available on the TNPCB website (https://tnpcb.gov.in/contact.php). Reports can be lodged via email, letter, phone call, or WhatsApp. Citizens providing such information will be acknowledged for their contribution to protecting the environment and supporting the eradication of single-use plastics.

Issued by: DIPR, Secretariat, Chennai – 9