Nagaland reiterates single-use plastics ban, directs deputy commissioners and village authorities to ensure strict enforcement and safe waste disposal.
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DIMAPUR — The Home department on Friday reiterated the state’s ban on single-use plastics (SUP) and directed all deputy commissioners to ensure that the prohibition is strictly enforced through village authorities across Nagaland.
In an order issued in pursuance of a Supreme Court judgement dated February 14, 2026, and in accordance with the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021, the department instructed village authorities to strictly adhere to existing guidelines on the total ban on single-use plastics.
The order reiterated provisions contained in earlier notifications issued by the Urban Development department, including restrictions imposed in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022.
Among the items covered under the ban are all plastic carry bags, with or without handles, irrespective of thickness and size; plastic cutlery such as plates, cups, forks, spoons and straws; and decorative items made of Styrofoam (thermocol).
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The ban also extends to materials such as polythene, nylon, poly vinyl carbohydrates (PVC), polypropylene and polystyrene.
The Home department further reiterated the prohibition on the use of flex banners, boards and posters by departments, institutions and government agencies during functions and programmes, as notified in December 2020.
Items prohibited under subsequent notifications include ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks and thermocol used for decoration. Plastic plates, cups, forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, stirrers, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards and cigarette packets, as well as plastic or PVC banners below 100 microns, also remain banned.
The department additionally reiterated the ban on packaged drinking water in plastic bottles below 20 litres capacity for meetings, functions, seminars and personal consumption.
It directed all deputy commissioners to ensure that the directives are promptly disseminated to village authorities for immediate and strict compliance.
The deputy commissioners were also instructed to take measures to ensure mandatory collection and safe disposal of banned single-use plastic waste by village authorities.