Efforts to curb single-use plastics continue with workshop in Khliehriat

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 28, 2024

Continuing efforts to curb the use of identified Single-Use Plastics (SUPs), the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), Shillong, organized a one-day workshop on the elimination of identified SUPs at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall, Khliehriat, on November 26.

The workshop was attended by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills District, JU Kharpuri, Environmental Engineer from MSPCB Shillong, YF Laloo, Assistant Environmental Engineer from MSPCB Shillong, RR Marak, district heads of various government departments, and executive magistrates of the district.

Resource persons from MSPCB Shillong, including Environmental Engineer YF Laloo and Assistant Environmental Engineer RR Marak, discussed various aspects of SUPs. Topics included types of plastics, banned plastics such as petro-based plastic carry bags under 120 microns, non-woven plastic carry bags below 60 GSM, plastic sheets under 50 microns, plastic cutlery, earbuds with plastic sticks, wrapping films for sweet boxes, and PVC banners below 100 microns.

Discussions also explored alternatives to SUPs, including paper products, cloth and jute bags, natural fiber fabrics, areca nut leaves, banana leaves, bamboo products, and ceramics. Other topics included labeling, provisions of Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, and challenges in managing plastic waste.

A similar workshop was held earlier on November 11, 2024, attended by government officials, traditional heads, restaurant owners, local vendors, and distributors.