Agartala 30 July, 2023: Today, the Tripura State Pollution Control Board organized a workshop on the assessment and characteristics of plastic waste in urban areas. The event saw participation from zonal officers, sanitary officers, and task force members of the Agartala Municipal Corporation.
The workshop was attended by Dr. K. Sashikumar, Secretary of the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment and Chairman of the State Pollution Control Board; Dr. Bishu Karmakar, Member Secretary of the Board; and Mahendra Singh, Director of the Tripura Science, Technology, and Environment Department, among other officials. During the workshop, the harmful impacts of single-use plastic items and specific steps for effective implementation of the ban on these items were discussed.
It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has completely banned the production, import, storage, distribution, sale, and use of single-use plastic items. These items include plastic carry bags (less than 120 microns in thickness), plastic sticks for earbuds, plastic sticks used in balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, thermocol for decoration, plates, cups, glasses, and cutlery such as forks, knives, and packaging films used in invitation cards and cigarette packets.
The workshop also featured a PowerPoint presentation on the importance and usage of the SUP Compliance Monitoring Portal for the effective implementation of the single-use plastic ban. Additionally, there was a presentation on the assessment and characteristics of various types of plastic waste. Training was provided to all officers of the Agartala Municipal Corporation on measuring the thickness of plastic carry bags.
This information was released through a press note by the Tripura State Pollution Control Board.
