Page 9 - Plastics News April 2017

FROM THE EDITOR'S PEN

Two to a Tango

We have two good things happenning and perhaps both could bring about a huge change in
their own different way.
GST Registration Deadline Extended

The deadline for Goods and Service Tax (GST) registration has been extended till April 30, 2017.
Previously the deadline for migrating to GST was March 31, 2017 GST is targeted to rollout
by July 1, 2017 and will be game changing reform for the Indian economy and will reduce
the cascading effect of tax on goods and service. Once GST comes into force, all goods and
services will be taxed with minimum exemptions, hence, the tax base will be comprehensive.
Almost 70% of the assessees have migrated to GST.

The deadline is extended to enrol the remaining batch of assessees. For the purpose of
migrating to GST, the “aggregate turnover” as per GST Act may be taken in account. Recently,
Lok Sabha has approved the Central GST Bill, 2017; the Integrated GST Bill, 2017; the GST
(Compensation to states) Bill, 2017; the Union Territory GST Bill, 2017.The GST Council has
recommended a four-tier tax structure i.e 5, 12, 18, 28 per cent. Moreover, a cess will be AJAY DESAI
imposed on luxury and sin goods to compensate the sates for the revenue loss in the first five
years of implementation of GST on the highest slab.
Water you can eat!
Yes that’s what they call it. An edible alternative to plastic water bottles made from seaweed
has topped the UK round of an EU competition for new, more sustainable products. The new
spherical form of packaging , called Ooho and described by its makers as “water you can eat”, is
biodegradeable, hygenic and costs 1p per unit to make. It is made chiefly from calcium chloride
and a seaweed derivative called sodium alginate. It seems to be [Ooho] a good replacement
packaging that would be really widely applicable across lots of different products.
The potential for packaging reduction is really high for one of the petroleum products used
across the world. The consumption of non-renewable resources for single-use bottles and the
amount of waste generated is profoundly unsustainable. Perhaps could likely provide the
convenience of plastic bottles while limiting the environmental impact. Ooho designer Pierre
Paslier, describes the product as like a “man-made fruit”, which uses a double membrane to
contain water. To carry larger quantities of water, a number of the capsules can be packed
into a larger and thicker skin: much like an orange. How ever the fact remains unlike water
bottles, though, the Ooho only has a few days of shelf life.
As world over people are working for sustainability hope we are able to develop and implement
processes to ensure an environment and Plastic friendly ecosystem.

Hon.Editor
Ajay Desai

9 April 2017 | Plastics News