Page 9 - Plastics News April 2018

FROM THE EDITOR'S PEN

It’s time to face the music

The ban on Plastics have been in discussion since the notification and the ad hoc actions of
the government in reversing and gradually exempting many of the plastics material (from
the ambit of the ban) validates our point that there was hardly any planning done before
hand and the complete ban on Plastics was illogical.

The government’s decision received widespread support from the general public and
environment activists. Now, within days, the ambitious order is already showing signs of
coming apart.

Workers and traders are witnessing the negative impact of this move. Nearly 3,00,000 people
are set to become jobless due to this move. Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industry
has said that the ban on plastic bags has derailed the production, packaging and supply
schedules of grains, bakery and clothing industries.

Many units from the allied industries are on the verge of closure in the absence of basic
packaging material as plastics can’t be stored anymore due to the ban and this stops their
regular work.

Milk packets and PET bottles have already been exempted. moreover the State government
has announced that the complete ban on plastic bottles with a capacity lower than 0.5 Mr. Rajiv B.Tolat
litre will now be reversed. It is also learnt that the state government is planning to exempt
bags used to pack garments, take away food containers, plastic glass, bowls etc. So what
remains? Only the lightweight plastics bag less than 50 microns which everyone, including
the Association, was saying all these days.

There is a lot of inter-state movement of people and goods; it opens the door to administrative
extortion at the entry-points when goods come from states that do not have such laws. With
airports, railways stations and bus stands being points of arrival, monitoring the same becomes
difficult. How are we going to deal with it? There are no answers on this.
Also in a state like Maharashtra where the rains are quite heavy, using paper bags will not be a
feasible option one can’t imagine a use of paper bags in incessant rains in a city like Mumbai.
Also, other alternative recycled bags or jute bags are not a viable affordable alternative.
The nation will have to move back to the use of paper or cardboard or tin (edible oils
were sold in these cans), aluminium, among other materials.Plastic packaging ensures the
content is unadulterated and safe for consuming. Hope one remembers the cases of early
90’s wherein more than 100 people had died due to consuming adulterated edible oil that
was then sold loose. The e-commerce and organised retail segments will have to seriously
reconsider their options now with this ban, as their business flourishes on the use of plastics
for both sale and delivery.

Plastic was a viable option that made it economical to showcase, promote and sell goods. By
moving back to other forms of packaging , there will be an increase in the cost of packaged
goods. Hope better sense prevails.

Rajiv B.Tolat
Hon. Editor
publication@aipma.net

9 April 2018 Plastics News