Kathmandu, July 26
Upon its failure to implement the plastic bag ban despite several announcements, the government once again has warned of action if plastic bags below the thinness of 40 microns are used.
It has already been three times that the federal government has announced a complete ban on the production, import, sale, distribution, and use of plastic bags thinner than 40 microns to reduce environmental pollution from plastic products. The latest announcement was made in the annual budget speech for the fiscal year 2021/22.
Accordingly, the plastic bag ban decision should have come into effect from July 16, 2021. However, the announcement is yet to be implemented as the government has not introduced any plan to effect the change.
Amid this situation, the Department of Environment on Tuesday issued a public notice and warned of action if plastic bags of the said measurements are produced, imported, traded and used. The new provision would be implemented from August 17.
The department says it will tighten market monitoring from mid-August and take action against the users as per the Environment Protection Act and the Environment Protection Regulations.
