KATHMANDU, April 7: The government has implemented new guidelines prohibiting the production, import, storage, sale, distribution, and use of plastic bags with a thickness of less than 40 microns.
The Forests and Environment Ministry has introduced the new directive, replacing the previous Plastic Bag (Regulation and Control) Guidelines issued in 2068. According to the updated rules, only raw materials meeting prescribed standards can be used to manufacture plastic bags. Bags must be 7 inches, 14 inches, or larger to be legally produced, imported, stored, sold, or distributed. Garbage bags must be at least 14 inches or 28 inches in size.
High-density, high-molecular-weight polythene granules will remain the primary raw material for plastic bag production. Masterbatches and certain mineral fillers may be added for non-food, non-water, and non-pharmaceutical uses, while only food-grade virgin plastic granules can be used for items intended for food, water, or medicine.
SC orders ban on the use of plastics thinner than 40 microns
The guidelines also require producers to clearly display product information. The company name and address, recycling logo, bag thickness, and size must be printed on the bag using indelible ink, with letters sized 18 to 20 points.
Compliance will be monitored by the Department of Environment, while provincial and local governments can use the guidelines as a framework for enforcement. Importers are also required to follow the regulations, maintain calibrated instruments to measure bag size and thickness, and submit annual reports on the bags they import and sell.
Furthermore, producers and importers must ensure that at least 10 percent of the plastic waste generated from their products is managed properly and report this information to the department annually.
