Page 7 - Plastics News April 2018

THE PRESIDENT
THE PRESIDENT SAYS SAYS

“Black Friday” in the history of Plastic Industry of Maharashtra

riday, 23rd March, 2018 will be recorded as a “Black Friday” in the history of Plastic
FProcessing industry of Maharashtra. It was on this day that Government of Maharashtra
issued “The Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Products Notification 2018” without following
due democratic process in the name of protecting environment in the larger interest of
the state. The law envisages punitive actions against violators for manufacturing, storage,
transportation, trade and use of banned products. The notification seeks blanket ban on
almost all items that are flexible and single time use or disposable while it fails to define
precisely what is included and what is not leaving the industry in confusion. Thinking the
consequences could be far reaching and alarming for the industry, for the economy and for
the environment.
While we must admit that the most efficient and economical material intended to serve the
society with its proper use has been rendered villain because of its abuse post consumption
by the society, the most pertinent questions are (i) Will we as a society be able to rise to
the challenge of behavioural change towards littering and waste management of plastics; HITEN BHEDA
(ii) Can we as a growing economy afford to ban plastic as a material of construction and;
(iii) Lastly, will the alternatives suggested leave lesser carbon footprint.
Plastic serves, it is the littering that pollutes. In a society with a very large population to
bring that behavioural change against littering is a herculean task requiring monetisation of
waste and proper infrastructure by the civic authorities to handle the generated waste by
either recycling or by putting it to end of cycle with recovery of energy. We as an industry
and as a part of value chain has to shoulder a larger responsibility to facilitate this change.

Plastics have acted as growth enablers of all most all segments of economy globally and
continues to do so as is evident by increasing replacement of less efficient materials by plastic
products. In such a scenario, it is unthinkable that we can do away with plastics let alone
think of “plastic mukt” state. Unfortunately, we are more influenced by biased social media
campaigns against plastic pollution and its detrimental effects on environment, marine and
animal life and human health. Yes, we cannot be in denial towards the visible pollution and
address the same in urgency by measured initiatives rather than getting carried away by
global agencies advocating extreme models of waste management that are not desirable
or sustainable for our economy. Blanket ban is one such measure that is not in sync with
our long term policies of ease of business and ease of living.

Lastly, as long as there is life there is going to be consumption which will translate into
waste. In an evolving society seeking convenience banning plastic will be replaced by
alternative materials for the consumption. Any long term measures with true intent of
environment concern should consider environment impact assessment in country’s own
context for each of this alternatives.
It is about time that our policy makers realize this if they are serious about inclusive growth,
ease of business, ease of leaving and Swachh Bharat or else we will pay the price of short
sited decisions dictated to us.
Let’s us keep Positive Attitude, Perform to Serve and Focus on growth of our Nation.

Hiten Bheda
president@aipma.net

7 April 2018 Plastics News