Plastic Ban Kicks Off Inphuentsholing

The Phuentsholing Thromdehas started restricting theentry of plastics particularlyused as carry bags bypeople at the border gate inPhuentsholing starting fromMarch 1.The initiative is inpreparation to the banon plastics that would beofficially effective fromApril 1.

The Thromde hasemployed around 20 youthsfor a month at four entrypoints to inspect the entry ofplastics.

The youths inspectand seize plastics, besidescreating awareness on theban.Phuentsholing ThromdeEnvironment Officer,Lhendup, said the inspectionwould inform the people onthe ban.'Creating earlyawareness would be easyfor implementing theban practically,' he said,adding that the NationalEnvironment Commission(NEC) has notified allthe Thromdes and thedzongkhags to restrict theentry of plastics from March1.Meanwhile, no penaltieshave been imposed so far.Penalties would be imposedto businesses and shop owners selling goods inplastic carry bags after April.An offender will be penalizedNu 500 for the first time andNu 1,000 for the second time.The third offence wouldresult in the cancellation ofthe license.

'We are sensitizingpeople and restricting theentry of plastics,' Lhendup said.Meanwhile, plastics thatare presently collected arethen supplied for recyclingto the College of Science andTechnology at Rinchending.The Thromde collectsaround plastics worth aBolero pick up per day. Sofar, plastics worth aroundfour Boleros have been collected within a...