The Ministry of Waterways and Environment says it will vigorously monitor compliance of the ban of single use plastic bags by traders and consumers.
Minister Dr. Mahendra Reddy has directed a team of Environment Officers to undertake random spot checks to confirm compliance of the Environment Management Act 2005.
The team of Environment Officers from the Department of Environment is currently carrying out random assessments of commercial facilities to determine adherence to the Plastic Bag Ban.
The Ministry says officers from the three Divisional Offices are currently on the ground carrying out assessments on compliance levels.
The Environment Management Act 2005 prohibits the use of plastic bags that are less than 50 microns thick and are used for carrying and transporting goods. The ban applies to the manufacture, sales, supply and distribution of such plastic bags.
Waste Disposal bags and plastic bags that form an integral part of a products packing (before sale) are exempt from the ban.
Persons and facilities that are found to be contravening the plastic bag ban by manufacturing, selling, supplying or distributing banned plastics will be liable to conviction under the Environment Management Act 2005 and fines and imprisonment terms apply for those found to contravening the Environment Management Act 2005.
Members of the community have been encouraged to contact the Department of Environment should they have any information on persons or commercial facilities that may be suspected of manufacturing, selling, supplying or distributing banned plastic bags.
