Port Blair, Sept. 17: It is for information of all concerned that henceforth no packaged drinking water bottles, disposable polystyrene food service cups/plates, plastic straws, cutleries etc., shall be used in any of the meetings, seminars, workshops and functions of the Administration, Central Government Organizations/Agencies, including Defence Establishments, Local Bodies, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) of the Administration/Government of India in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Besides, the Administration has also decided to

1. Install Water ATMs at the places frequented by tourists, bus stands, harbours/jetties and other public places.

2. Promote use of cloth bags, biodegradable starch based carry bags as substitute to plastic bags.

3. Install Reverse Vending Machines with facility of shredding/bailing plastic/PET bottles and wrappers.

4. Mandatory use of plastic waste in road making to provide durability to the roads by agencies like APWD, PBMC, Zilla Parishad, NHIDCL, MES etc.

5. Feasibility being explored for making for buy back of plastic coated bags/sacks by the manufactures/wholesalers and retailers.

6. APWD and PBMC to aim to maintain the quality of the drinking water supplied through taps as per the standards fixed by Central Pollution Control Board so as to reduce dependence of packaged drinking water.

7. Hotels/resorts/restaurants to aim to ensure that the tap water being provided to the tourists is safe for drinking. 

The Administration urges the residents of the Islands to make effective and meaningful contribution to the cause of making the Islands free from plastic waste for the wellbeing of the residents of these Islands.