SPCB-Sikkim Conducted Joint Inspection Drives to Enforce Ban on Single-Use Plastics
On 9th October 2026, inspection drives were carried out by SPCB-Sikkim officials, in collaboration with
ULB authorities and Sikkim Police personnel, to implement the ban on Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) across
the municipal zones of Gangtok, Mangan, Nayabazar-Jorethang and Gyalshing.
The banned SUP items include plastic-stick ear buds, balloon sticks, candy and ice cream sticks, plastic
flags, decorative polystyrene (Thermocol), cups, plates, glasses, straws, stirrers, and cutlery (spoons,
knives, forks). Furthermore, trays, packing or wrapping films around sweet boxes, cigarette packets,
invitation cards, along with PVC or plastic banners under 100 microns, are also banned.
In addition to these, non-woven plastic bags below 60 GSM, unmarked polyethylene carry bags thinner
than 120 microns, and packaged drinking water PET bottles (including alkaline water) of 2 litres or smaller
capacities are completely prohibited.
Inspections were carried out across various commercial establishments and local shops within these
municipalities to check for adherence to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016(as amended)
regarding the SUP ban. During these visits, authorities also took the opportunity to briefly educate vendors,
shop owners, and the general public about the prohibited SUP items.
During this enforcement drive, no violations were found during the inspection at the site, which led to no
seizures of prohibited SUP items and no fines being realized.
SPCB-Sikkim seeks the continued cooperation of the public, distributors, retailers, and shopkeepers in this
ongoing initiative, urging them to avoid banned SUP materials to help keep the state free of plastic litter.
These SUP inspection drives are scheduled to be conducted four days every month
