Press Release
Press Release from Sikkim State Pollution Control Board
Information & Public Relations Department
Press Release from Sikkim
State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) Sikkim
SPCB Sikkim Conducted Joint Enforcement Drive to Enforce Ban on Single-Use Plastics
Date: February 25, 2026
Issued by:State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)
In continuation with the regular enforcement drives, a team comprising SPCB officials, Urban Local Bodies representatives and Sikkim Police personnel conducted a joint inspection to enforce the ban on Single-use plastics (SUPs). Inspections were conducted in the municipal areas of Gangtok, Mangan, Namchi, Jorethang, Rangpo, Singtam and Gyalshing, respectively. Banned SUP items include: Ear buds with plastic sticks, balloon sticks, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, polystyrene (Thermocol) for decorations, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery (forks, spoons, knives), straws, trays, wrapping or packing films on sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, as well as plastic or PVC banners under 100 microns, and stirrers.
Additionally, non-woven plastic carry bags below 60 GSM, polyethene bags under 120 microns without proper markings, and PET bottles for packaged drinking water (including alkaline water) of 2 litres or less are strictly prohibited. The team inspected local markets and commercial outlets in municipal areas to check compliance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, and promote sustainable practices. SPCB officials also raised awareness about SUPs among the public, shopkeepers, and vendors.
In the Tathangchen area under the Gangtok Municipal Corporation, banned PET bottles of less than 2 litres capacity (for packaged drinking water, including alkaline water) were seized during today's enforcement drive.
Seizures and fines were recorded as follows:
▪︎ Gangtok Municipal Corporation: 0.69 kg of SUPs; Fine: Rs. 1,500.
▪︎ Nayabazaar Jorethang Nagar Panchayat; 0.5 kg of SUPs. ; Fine: Rs. 1000.
▪︎ Gyalshing Nagar Panchayat: 1.15 kg of SUPs .
▪︎ Singtam Nagar Panchayat: Few SUP items were seized.
In total, 2.3 kgs of prohibited SUP items were seized, and fines were imposed amounting to Rs. 2,500.
Additionaly the public was given a brief awareness about single-use plastics as well. SPCB Sikkim solicits support from the general public, shopkeepers, retailers, and distributors in this enforcement drive and requests them to co-operate in maintaining a plastic-litter-free state by avoiding banned SUP items. Enforcement drives will continue every four days each month.
State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) Sikkim
SPCB Sikkim Conducted Joint Enforcement Drive to Enforce Ban on Single-Use Plastics
Date: February 25, 2026
Issued by:State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)
In continuation with the regular enforcement drives, a team comprising SPCB officials, Urban Local Bodies representatives and Sikkim Police personnel conducted a joint inspection to enforce the ban on Single-use plastics (SUPs). Inspections were conducted in the municipal areas of Gangtok, Mangan, Namchi, Jorethang, Rangpo, Singtam and Gyalshing, respectively. Banned SUP items include: Ear buds with plastic sticks, balloon sticks, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, polystyrene (Thermocol) for decorations, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery (forks, spoons, knives), straws, trays, wrapping or packing films on sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, as well as plastic or PVC banners under 100 microns, and stirrers.
Additionally, non-woven plastic carry bags below 60 GSM, polyethene bags under 120 microns without proper markings, and PET bottles for packaged drinking water (including alkaline water) of 2 litres or less are strictly prohibited. The team inspected local markets and commercial outlets in municipal areas to check compliance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, and promote sustainable practices. SPCB officials also raised awareness about SUPs among the public, shopkeepers, and vendors.
In the Tathangchen area under the Gangtok Municipal Corporation, banned PET bottles of less than 2 litres capacity (for packaged drinking water, including alkaline water) were seized during today's enforcement drive.
Seizures and fines were recorded as follows:
▪︎ Gangtok Municipal Corporation: 0.69 kg of SUPs; Fine: Rs. 1,500.
▪︎ Nayabazaar Jorethang Nagar Panchayat; 0.5 kg of SUPs. ; Fine: Rs. 1000.
▪︎ Gyalshing Nagar Panchayat: 1.15 kg of SUPs .
▪︎ Singtam Nagar Panchayat: Few SUP items were seized.
In total, 2.3 kgs of prohibited SUP items were seized, and fines were imposed amounting to Rs. 2,500.
Additionaly the public was given a brief awareness about single-use plastics as well. SPCB Sikkim solicits support from the general public, shopkeepers, retailers, and distributors in this enforcement drive and requests them to co-operate in maintaining a plastic-litter-free state by avoiding banned SUP items. Enforcement drives will continue every four days each month.
