Gurgaon: The drive against single-use plastics in city intensified on Wednesday after enforcement teams of Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) found widespread violations in Sector 57. The findings highlighted the continued use of banned plastic items in local markets.Officials said challans amounting to Rs 85,000 were issued on the first day of the crackdown to shopkeepers and vendors found using or stocking prohibited plastic carry bags and disposable items.Jute bags were distributed to residents and shopkeepers to encourage the use of reusable alternatives. Officials said the action was aimed at creating awareness among both businesses and consumers.The state has banned the manufacture, stocking, distribution, sale and use of identified single-use plastic items since July 2022, following a nationwide notification by the Union govt. “This was the first in a series of enforcement drives. Checks will now be increased in other sectors, especially commercial areas where violations are common. Businesses and residents must adopt alternatives such as cloth and jute bags,” said HSPCB Gurgaon’s regional official Akanksha Tanwar.Residents who took part in the inspections said regular enforcement was necessary to prevent repeat violations, as plastic carry bags remain widely used by neighbourhood shops.Single-use plastics include plastic carry bags below the prescribed thickness, straws, disposable cutlery, plates, food and beverage containers, thermocol packaging, coffee cups and lids, drink stirrers, balloon sticks and wrappers.According to an annual report published by HSPCB last year, around 14% of the plastic waste generated in the state ends up in landfills. The report said about 78% of plastic waste is recycled, but it also noted a 38% rise in plastic waste generation, from 129,866.7 tonnes in 2022-23 to 179,406.5 tonnes in the last financial year.
