Single-use plastics still in widespread use, says Tamil Nadu Minister

‘The ban that came into force during former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami is not being enforced effectively now.’

AIADMK leader K.C. Karupannan told the Assembly on Thursday that despite a Statewide ban on single-use plastics in 2019, plastic carry bags are still widely used.

He said plastic covers are everywhere, from flower stalls to hotels and meat shops, and questioned the government on measures being taken to control plastic use.

Mr Karupannan added that the ban that came into force under former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami is not being effectively enforced now.

Replying to the Opposition leader, Minister for Environment and Climate Change Siva V. Meyyanathan said that although the ban was strictly enforced for six months after it was imposed on January 1, 2019, control measures waned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When Chief Minister M.K. Stalin came to power in 2021, he not only expanded the ban but also introduced alternatives to single-use plastics, such as the manjappai, said the Minister. We will introduce more measures to further control plastic use, he said.

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