Press Release
Press Release from SPCB-Sikkim
Information & Public Relations Department
SPCB-Sikkim Organised Inspection Drive to Enforce Ban on Single-Use Plastics.
On 2nd April 2026, SPCB-Sikkim, in co-ordination with ULB officials and Sikkim Police personnel organized inspection drives to enforce a ban on Single-use-Plastics (SUPs) within the municipal areas of Gangtok, Mangan, Namchi, Nayabazar-Jorethang, Rangpo, Singtam and Gyalshing.
Banned SUP items include ear buds with plastic sticks, baloon 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 less than 100 microns and stirrers.
Additionally, non-woven plastic carry bags below 60 GSM, polyethylene 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. Local shops and commercial outlets in the municipalities were inspected to ensure compliance with the ban on banned SUP items under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. The general public, shopkeepers, and vendors were also sensitized briefly on the banned SUP items.
Seizures and fines realised in detail are as follows:
• Namchi Municipal Council; 5 kg of SUP items ; Fine: Rs. 30,000.
• Gangtok Municipal Corporation; 2.7 kg of SUP items ; Fine: Rs. 3,000.
In total, 7.7 kg of prohibited SUP items were seized, and fines were imposed amounting to Rs.33,000.
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.
On 2nd April 2026, SPCB-Sikkim, in co-ordination with ULB officials and Sikkim Police personnel organized inspection drives to enforce a ban on Single-use-Plastics (SUPs) within the municipal areas of Gangtok, Mangan, Namchi, Nayabazar-Jorethang, Rangpo, Singtam and Gyalshing.
Banned SUP items include ear buds with plastic sticks, baloon 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 less than 100 microns and stirrers.
Additionally, non-woven plastic carry bags below 60 GSM, polyethylene 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. Local shops and commercial outlets in the municipalities were inspected to ensure compliance with the ban on banned SUP items under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. The general public, shopkeepers, and vendors were also sensitized briefly on the banned SUP items.
Seizures and fines realised in detail are as follows:
• Namchi Municipal Council; 5 kg of SUP items ; Fine: Rs. 30,000.
• Gangtok Municipal Corporation; 2.7 kg of SUP items ; Fine: Rs. 3,000.
In total, 7.7 kg of prohibited SUP items were seized, and fines were imposed amounting to Rs.33,000.
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.
