The Environment and Forest Department of Assam made an announcement recently that notified the ban of the production, import, storage, distribution, and sale of plastic water bottles with a capacity less than 1000 ml in the state from October 2023. The notification highlights concerns about the environmental and health impacts of (SUP) single-use plastic items due to high littering possibilities. The responsibility for implementing this notification rests with Urban and Rural local bodies, District Administration, Police department, and the Pollution Control Board of Assam. The effective date of this notification is October 2, 2023.
This notification came into picture only after the announcement made by the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding the ban on single-use plastic water bottles with a carrying capacity of one liter and less than that. This ban of single use plastic bottles below 1000 ml will come into effect on October 2 and will be an important step in transforming the state into a greener and more sustainable environment in the future.
Assam took a pledge to wipe out the plastic wastes and avoid its effects on damaging the environment, and the water bottle ban is a one chunk of that effort. The plastic pollution and the damages due to plastic have spoilt human health, marine ecosystems, and also the animals are suffering due to the single use plastic wastes, the plastic pollution has now started spoiling the whole world. The state government aims to address the serious issue relating to the plastic wastes by concentrating on single-use plastic water bottles that end up polluting rivers, lakes, and other natural areas in the state.
Single-use plastics that are frequently utilized for packaging water bottles, are designed for one-time use before being discarded. However, due to their non-biodegradable nature, they persist in the environment for extended periods, leading to ecological consequences over time. These plastic items are being produced to fulfill the short-term convenience, but their prolonged existence utilizes lasting damages on the environment. This ongoing accumulation not only diminishes the aesthetic and natural value of these areas but also disrupts delicate ecological balances.
