Hyderabad: Use of single-use plastic banned in civic offices

Hyderabad: The state government on Wednesday issued guidelines banning the use of single-use plastic in the offices of all urban local bodies.

In a letter addressed to all heads of departments under the municipal administration department and municipal commissioners, MAUD principal secretary Arvind Kumar directed them to strictly implement the ban.

Minister K.T. Rama Rao had directed officials on Tuesday to issue clear instructions to all the commissioners across the state to curb the menace of plastic.

Following the order, all offices of urban local bodies will discontinue stocking and use of single use plastic items like plastic and tetra bottles, single-use straws, plastic/styrofoam tea cups/ containers etc,  plastic below 50 micron plastic or plastic coated items and and any other forms of single use /banned plastic.

No office shall be found to be in use or possession of below 50 micron plastic bags as mandated in Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the guidelines said.

It was mandated that all offices follow the twin bin system and dispose of plastic waste strictly in compliance of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2000 and guidelines of Central Pollution Control Board towards plastic disposal.

The heads of department must make efforts to create awareness among all stakeholders on spreading knowledge about the harm caused by single use plastic to the environment and promote sustainable environmental practices. The idea is to spread the message meaningfully and effectively. “The orders come into force with immediate effect,” Mr Arvind Kumar said.