BMC resumes crack down, seizes 61.5 kg single-use plastic

According to the MPCB’s directives, production, sale and transportation of single-use plastic including thermocol is banned in the state.

As part of the state directive, the MPCB has empowered the local civic bodies in order to take action against violators.

The civic body’s move on penalising plastic users started in 2019, however it slowed down following the Covid-19 pandemic. The drive picked up pace in August 2023, however, it again slowed down later that year.

“This time, the drive will focus on eradicating plastic usage from the registered markets. At present, there are 91 registered civic markets in Mumbai, which we are trying to make entirely plastic free through this move,” said a civic official.

The BMC’s data furthermore stated that till date in 2025, a total of 167 kg of plastic has been seized and a penalty upto Rs 6.1 lakh has been recovered by registering cases against 5,783 establishments in Mumbai.

Last year, the BMC recovered Rs 41.7 lakh in penalties by penalising 44,448 establishments, and seizing 2,148 kg of plastic.

According to the BMC’s rules the penalty amount of a first offender is Rs 5,000, the penalty amount for a second time offender is Rs 10,000.

Any violator found guilty more than two times has to pay a penalty of Rs 25,000, and may also face up to three months of imprisonment.