Mumbai: BMC Resumes Crackdown On Single-Use Plastic, Seizes 61 Kg And Recovers ₹1.45 Lakh In Fines

Mumbai: The BMC has reinitiated its crackdown on the use of single-use plastic, beginning with the seizure of 61 kilograms of banned plastic and the collection of Rs 1.45 lakh in fines on Monday. This action follows a pause due to the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections last year.

The BMC’s license and market department visited 1,145 shops and establishments throughout the day to enforce the ban. The civic authorities has also focused on raising awareness about the harmful effects of single-use plastic.

A senior civic official mentioned that while the drive was revived in 2022, this time, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has directed the BMC to also impose fines on customers, which will be finalised once the fee structure is decided.

In 2024, the BMC conducted inspections at 44,448 establishments, seized 2,148 kilograms of plastic, and collected Rs 41.70 lakh in fines. From January 1 to 19, 2025, 5,783 shops were inspected, 167 kg of plastic was seized, and Rs 6.10 lakh in fines was recovered. The use, sale, and handling of plastic have been banned in Maharashtra under a notification issued on March 23, 2018.

According to BMC policy, violations by producers, stockists, suppliers, and sellers can lead to fines ranging from Rs 5,000 for the first offense to up to Rs 25,000 and/or imprisonment for repeat offenders.