DIMAPUR, MAY 29 (NPN): State government has directed all village authorities across the state to strictly enforce the total ban on single-use plastic (SUP) items in compliance with Supreme Court directions and provisions under the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021.
The directive, issued in reiteration of earlier notifications of the Urban Development Department, follows the Supreme Court judgment dated February 14, 2026, and provisions notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
According to a home department notification, banned items include all plastic carry bags irrespective of thickness or size, plastic cutlery such as plates, cups, forks, spoons and straws, Styrofoam (thermocol) decorative items, polythene, nylon, PVC, polypropylene and polystyrene materials.
State government has also prohibited the use of flex banners, boards and posters by departments, institutions and government agencies during official functions and programmes.
The ban also covers items such as plastic sticks used in earbuds and balloons, plastic flags, candy and ice cream sticks, thermocol decoration materials, wrapping films around sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets, PVC banners below 100 microns and plastic stirrers.
The government has also reiterated the total ban on packaged drinking water bottles below 20 litres capacity during meetings, seminars, functions and for personal consumption.
All deputy commissioners (DCs) have been directed to disseminate the order to village authorities for immediate compliance and ensure mandatory collection and safe disposal of banned SUP waste across the state.
Saturday, May 30, 2026