SPCB-Sikkim, ULB Officials and Sikkim Police conducted Joint Inspection Drives to Enforce Ban
on Single-Use Plastic.
The State Pollution Control Board-Sikkim, in coordination with Urban Local Body (ULB) authorities and
Sikkim Police personnel, conducted joint inspection drives on 3
rd November 2026, within the municipal
areas of Gangtok, Mangan, Namchi, Nayabazar-Jorethang, Rangpo, Singtam, and Gyalshing to enforce
the ban on Single-Use Plastic (SUP).
The banned SUP items include ear buds with plastic sticks, balloon sticks, plastic flags, candy sticks,
ice cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) used for decoration, and disposable plates, cups, glasses,
and cutlery (forks, spoons, knives). Also prohibited are straws, trays, wrapping or packing film used
on sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, as well as plastic or PVC banners under 100
microns in thickness, and stirrers.
In addition, non-woven plastic carry bags below 60 GSM, polyethylene bags under 120 microns
without proper markings, and PET bottles of 2 litres or less used for packaged drinking water
(including alkaline water) remain strictly prohibited.
Local shops and commercial outlets were inspected for the availability, sale and use of banned singleuse plastic (SUP) items. Subsequently, the shopkeepers were briefed on the Plastic Waste
Management Rules, 2016 (as amended) and the list of banned SUP items.
During the drives, a total of 1.2 kg of prohibited SUP items was confiscated, and fines amounting to
Rs. 2,000 were collected.
SPCB-Sikkim continues to seek the cooperation of the general public, retailers, distributors, and
shopkeepers in maintaining a plastic-free state and discouraging the use of prohibited single-use
plastic items.
Enforcement drives will continue to be conducted every four days each month
