PANJIM: Almost three years after enacting a law to ban single-use plastics in the State, the Goa government intends to completely phase out the use of disposable plastics by early 2022. The move comes as the Central government has notified a ban on the use of ‘single-use plastic items from July 1 next year.
“The government had decided to phase out single-use plastic. The Central government has notified that India, by July 2022, will eliminate all single-use plastics from the country. We want to achieve that target before the Centre’s deadline,” a senior official said.
“By early 2022, we will ensure that there is complete ban on the manufacture, sale and use of single-use plastic,” an official said adding, “The process has already started. Several manufacturing units have either been shut or have stopped manufacturing it.”
The State government had in August 2019 amended the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act to ban the manufacture, sale and use of single-use plastic items and carry bags, with a penalty of Rs 2,500 to Rs three lakh on the violators.
From October 2, 2019, the government had banned the use of single-use plastic. All the offices were directed to discontinue with single-use plastic water bottles, glasses, plates, etc and to use items or equipments which are eco-friendly and re-usable to provide water and other items in the offices, meetings and functions.
Single-use plastics, or disposable plastics, are used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These include plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging.