Ahmedabad to seal single-use plastic factories for 15 days

The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has decided to seal factories manufacturing single-use plastic for 15 days if found operating within Ahmedabad city limits.

The decision was taken by the civic body’s Health Committee following directions from Gujarat High Court to take stringent action against the production and use of prohibited plastic.

Under the revised enforcement measures, retail shops found storing more than 100 kg of banned plastic will be sealed for 10 days.

Health Committee Chairman Jashubhai Thakor said fines will also be imposed on hawkers found using banned plastic carry bags. A penalty of Rs 1,000 will be levied for the first offence, Rs 3,000 for the second and Rs 5,000 for the third offence.

The proposal placed before the Health Committee was amended to include sealing action against manufacturing units within municipal limits and traders holding large quantities of banned plastic, he said.

As per the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, plastic carry bags with a thickness of less than 120 microns and non-woven carry bags weighing less than 60 grams per square metre are prohibited. Officials reiterated that the production, storage and use of such plastic materials are banned in the city.