New Delhi, capital city of India, has banned the use, sale and storage of all plastic bags in an effort to curb the consistently rising use of polythene in the city. Environmentalists say more than 10 million a day are used in the capital city. The notification from the environment, forest and wildlife department of the Delhi government is yet to start being enforced, but it in fact became official on January 9.

The government previously though to limit the ban by saying plastic bags with thickness of more than 0.04mm and those that are in vegetable dye or plain white color would be allowed. When the law was completely ignored by the masses, the government was forced to introduce a complete ban. In the first few months, the ban will be less strictly enforced, giving consumers time to switch to jute, cotton, recycled-paper and compostable bags. Violators will face imprisonment of up to five years and/or fine of up to $2,060.