This has reference to the Notification on the Ban of the Use/Sale of Plastic Carry Bags, Doma Wrappers and Homemade Ice Cream (Pepsi) Pouches issued by the then Ministry of Trade and Industry vide letter No. MTI/VIII-3/427 dated April 20, 1999, in conjunction with the then Ministry of Health and Education, the then Ministry of Communication, the National Environment Commission and the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
After decades of notification and diligent efforts by the relevant agencies, the implementation of the ban is still a challenge. In this connection, the National Environment Commission Secretariat (NECS) consulted relevant agencies on November 13, 2018, wherein the agencies came to an agreement to reinforce the ban. Therefore, the NECS would like to notify the relevant agencies that reinforcement of the ban will commence with effect from April 1, 2019. In an effort to prepare for successful implementation, all the relevant agencies are requested to carry out the following:
- Sensitizing programs in respective fields/general public
- Explore the availability of alternative; and
- Prepare the monitoring plan/program
With effect from the stipulated deadline, any Business establishements found selling/using the above mentioned plastic items shall be liable to the following penalties:
- A fine of Nu. 500 for the first offence;
- A fine of Nu. 1000 for the second offence; and
- Subsequent violation shall result in cancellation of the business license.
The NECS solicits cooperation and support of all agencies for successful implementation of the ban in line with the purpose of Waste Prevention and Management Act of Bhutan 2009, its regulation 2012 and Amendment 2016 to protect and sustain human health through protection of the environment by reducing the generation of waste at source.