The Haryana government has stepped up enforcement against single-use plastic as part of a renewed statewide drive aimed at reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable alternatives. On the first day of the crackdown, enforcement teams of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) issued penalties worth ₹85,000 after detecting widespread violations in Gurugram’s Sector 57.
Officials said the action marked the beginning of a sustained enforcement campaign that will extend to other parts of the city and across Haryana in the coming weeks.
Markets Found Using Banned Plastic Items
During inspections, HSPCB teams found several shopkeepers and street vendors using or stocking banned plastic carry bags and disposable items, despite a statewide ban that has been in force since July 2022. The violations included plastic bags below the prescribed thickness and other prohibited single-use plastic products.
Challans were issued on the spot, and vendors were warned that repeat violations could invite heavier penalties and legal action.
Awareness Drive Alongside Penalties
Along with enforcement, officials also focused on public awareness. Jute bags were distributed to residents and shopkeepers to encourage a shift towards reusable alternatives such as cloth and jute bags.
HSPCB officials said the aim was not only to penalise violators but also to change behaviour among consumers and businesses. “The drive is meant to discourage dependence on plastic and promote environmentally friendly alternatives,” an official said.
Statewide Ban Still Poorly Followed
Haryana implemented a ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and use of identified single-use plastic items following a nationwide notification by the Union government. However, officials admitted that compliance remains uneven, especially in neighbourhood markets and busy commercial areas.
Single-use plastic items covered under the ban include plastic carry bags below the mandated thickness, straws, disposable cutlery, plates, thermocol packaging, food containers, coffee cups, lids, wrappers and balloon sticks.
Rising Plastic Waste a Major Concern
According to the latest annual report of the HSPCB, plastic waste generation in Haryana has risen sharply, increasing by nearly 38% over one year. The report noted that while about 78% of plastic waste is recycled, nearly 14% still ends up in landfills, posing a serious environmental risk.
Officials warned that unchecked plastic use contributes to clogged drains, waterlogging, soil degradation and long-term ecological damage.
More Inspections Planned Across Haryana
HSPCB officials confirmed that the Sector 57 action was only the first phase of a larger enforcement plan. Checks will now be intensified in other sectors of Gurugram and in major commercial hubs across the state.
Authorities have urged shopkeepers and residents to voluntarily switch to sustainable alternatives, warning that enforcement teams will continue inspections and impose stricter penalties on repeat offenders.
