Delhi bans plastic bags ‘of all kinds’

The Delhi government on Tuesday imposed a "blanket ban" on the use of plastic bags in the national capital, citing detrimental effect on the environment. The ban extends to the manufacture, sale, storage and usage of plastic bags, which have been deemed a "serious environmental and health hazard".

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit announced the ban during a meeting of the Delhi Cabinet. "Now, all kinds of plastic will be banned in Delhi, whether thin or thick. However, the ban will not affect woven plastics or plastic used to handle biomedical waste," Dikshit said. A notification in this regard will be issued soon.

"The ban includes plastic used as a cover, film, tube or sheet. This means no plastic on magazines, invitation cards or greeting cards," Dikshit said.

Earlier, plastic bags thicker than 40 microns were banned, but the new notification will supersede that.

Delhi Pollution Control Committee is responsible for implementing and monitoring the ban, which will be imposed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The maximum penalty under the Act includes a fine of Rs 1 lakh and/or five years of imprisonment.

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