Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Delhi Bans Plastic Bags

After time for plan to phase in, penalties will include 5 years in jail

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 16, 2009 3:16 PM CST

(Newser) – Officials in Delhi have banned the “use, storage, and sale” of plastic bags, the Guardian reports, after Indian environmentalists warned about the dangers of the non-biodegradable bags. Violators could be imprisoned for up to 5 years and fined over $2,000. Plastic bags have become a staple in Delhi amid a booming economy and the proliferation of Western-style shopping malls.

But the bags clog drains, providing breeding grounds for malaria and dengue fever, environmentalists say. Initially, authorities will go easy on offenders, but some vendors are bristling. “The shopkeeper will not spend out of his pocket to provide expensive recycled or paper bags,” said one. “The consumer will be affected more.” Rwanda, Bhutan, and Bangladesh already have enacted similar bans.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Carry a plastic bag in Delhi and you could be imprisoned for five years. (Shutter Stock)

Delhi has been quietly filling up with plastic bags in recent years as the economy boomed and western-style shopping malls sprang up in the city. (Shutter Stock)

Environmentalists say 10 million bags are used daily in Delhi, and clog drains, enabling diseases including malaria. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

We do not want people to be harassed and no prosecution will take place immediately. As people realize the situation and understand that by using plastic bags they will be in contempt of court, they will start using other material. - Delhi environment secretary

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Getty Images

35 Brutally Honest Reasons Men Say No to Sex (The Stir)

Man in Mugshot Explains Why He Has Half a Head (HuffPost)

These Exes Were Spotted Making Out … and That's a Bad Thing (Bleacher Report)

Help! I'm Having an Incestuous Relationship With My Twin (Slate)

Which Celeb Dedicated Song to Her Famous Husband Despite Divorce Rumors? (NewsOne)

Partner Links

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

Showing 2 of 2 comments

PosterNutbag

Jan 16, 2009 11:16 PM CST

This is great news. I've been to India, there is a HUGE pollution problem there, on account of overpopulation. I would love to go back there and see that it is cleaner, or at least dirty in a biodegradable way.

Guest

Jan 16, 2009 9:20 PM CST

This will not help anyone, lets hope that such enviro-totalitarianism doesn't start spreading to the rest of the world. Yes, people should not use plastic bag, but the government should not jail you for 5 years if you do! There shouldn't be laws banning anything deemed bad, that is not how free and civil societies should functions.

What's Popular Now on Facebook

E-Cigarette Explodes in Man's Mouth

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds Major Cash Inside

Guardian (UK) (Source Grid »)
Hindu (India) (Source Grid »)

Reusable bags have become a hot commodity
Wall Street Journal

Ban follows earlier bag policy that was ignored
Times of India (India)

World • Money

plastic bags • India • Delhi • environmentalists

More Newser Stories

60 Killed in Delhi Building Collapse

Arrest warrant issued for building's owner

(NEWSER) - At least 60 people were killed and dozens more seriously injured when an apartment building in a congested Delhi neighborhood collapsed last night. Rescuers worked through the night searching for survivors and at least 30 people are believed to be still trapped under the rubble, AP reports. Authorities believe this year's unusually heavy monsoon rains may have weakened the building's foundation. An arrest warrant has been issued for the building's owner, who residents say had been adding an illegal extra floor to the structure. More»

India Drafts Monkeys for Stadium Security

... against other monkeys

(NEWSER) - Indian officials have enlisted the help of black-faced langur monkeys to provide security for the venues hosting the Commonwealth Games. Their purpose is to scare away smaller monkeys that have been harassing fans near arenas, the BBC reports. The aggressive langurs are kept on leashes by handlers but released when the other monkeys appear. More»

Delhi Film Fest Hit By Sex Harassment Charges

Female directors say festival was sham run by sleazy organizer

(NEWSER) - Delhi's international film festival billed itself as showcasing female talent from around the world but two directors are charging that an organizer used it to grope female talent from around the world. Oscar-winning director Jane Campion has accused Bhaskar Deb, husband of the festival's director, of making "rude and lewd advances" toward herself and many other female guests, the Independent reports. More»

India Appeal Likens Gay Sex to Bestiality

Court ruling could recriminalize homosexuality

(NEWSER) - India’s gay and lesbian community celebrated the Delhi High Court’s decriminalization of homosexual sex last week with lavish parties, but festivities may have been premature, GlobalPost reports. India’s Supreme Court has signaled that it will consider an appeal of the verdict, the climax of an 8-year legal battle that exposed deep divides between liberal elites and socially conservative mainstream India. More»

Fired Workers Kill Boss in India

Workers, invited to negotiate, beat Indian chief of Italian manufacturing firm to death

(NEWSER) - An angry mob of laid-off workers killed their former boss at an Italian manufacturing firm in India yesterday, the Independent reports. Lalit Kishore Choudhary, who oversaw Oerlikon Graziano’s auto-parts business in India, was bludgeoned to death with iron bars as he tried to negotiate with the disgruntled former employees. Apparently, a deal was in the works to bring some workers back. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Delhi Bans Plastic Bags