CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has seized over 15 tonnes of banned single use plastic items across TN during a State-wide intensified special enforcement drive conducted since fourth week of December.

During the drive, 9,248 shop inspections and enforcement raids were conducted across the State, during which 2,553 violations were observed.

The drive has resulted in the seizure of 15.56 tons of banned single-use plastic items and the levy of penalties amounting to Rs. 12,50,200 in accordance with the prescribed norms. “In addition, sustained enforcement action has resulted in the closure of units and disconnection of power supply to more than 290 illegal units engaged in the manufacture of banned single-use plastic items across the State since 2019. Of these, 13 units have been closed during the last six months,” a release said.

The Board has requested traders, manufacturers, vendors and commercial establishments to strictly comply with the ban on single-use plastics and adopt environmentally friendly alternatives.