Resource detail

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on 10 August 2017 banned plastic bags thinner than an average human hair in the capital, stepping in to eliminate the most common shopping accessory that clogs sewers, pollutes the environment and even kills cattle. In an interim order, a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Mr Swatanter Kumar also slapped a fine of Rs 5,000 on anyone found in possession of non-biodegradable plastic bags less than 50 microns, which is the thickness of a human hair. Microns, short for micromillimetre, is the global measurement unit for thickness of plastic bags. The thinner the bag, the more harmful they are to the environment. The green court directed the Delhi government to seize the banned bags within a week. However, implementing the NGT order could be a tough job as a similar ban by the Centre last year failed to make stop the use of such bags.