About 8,000 kg of banned polythene seized in Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 23 (IANS) The Delhi government on Wednesday said it has seized nearly 8,000 kg of polythene bags thinner than 50 microns, two weeks after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned them.

Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain said that beside the huge seizure so far, 492 fines and notices were issued, while about Rs 3 lakh was collected as environmental compensation under the drive to ban plastic in the national capital.

According to a 2015 report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), plastic comprises 10.14 per cent of total waste generated in the city.

The plastic bags with thickness below 50 microns are the un-recyclable lot of solid waste, which are often not collected leading to direct pollution.

On Wednesday, the Minister held a meeting with the senior officials from municipal corporations, Revenue Department, Urban Development Department, Environment Department and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

"As per the reports submitted by various departments, a total of 7,739 kg of plastic carry bags (less than 50 microns) have been seized, 492 challans and notices have been issued and a total of Rs 2,90,000 has been realised as environment compensation," a government statement said.

At the meeting, Hussain directed the officers to strictly implement the directions of NGT regarding sale, storage and use of less than 50 micron plastic bags at shops, markets and other establishments.

The NGT on August 10 reiterated its earlier ban on polythene in Delhi.

Earlier, the tribunal asked the city government to ban the low grade plastic with effect from January 1. But the directive could not be implemented.

For now, the tribunal has put an interim ban on low grade plastic bags.

The bench has also asked the Delhi government and the DPCC to file an affidavit and inform it about how its directions were being implemented in the city. The matter will be heard in NGT on August 29.