Page 11 - Plastics News August 2018

FROM THE EDITOR'S PEN

Double Standards

fter a long time there has been some respite to the Industry and perhaps this is just to begin
Awith. For those who are not aware , the central government has launched a contest- two
competitions, paragraph and slogan writing, asking citizens to share stories on “positive role
of plastics in daily life” and “removing negativity” around its use. The competitions, listed on
MyGov.in website, a citizen engagement platform, also attract cash prizes worth Rs 46,000.
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slogan writing. It has recieved 1273 entries made to these contests so far.

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of our life owing mainly to its ability to sustain itself in the nature for long period of time as
compared to other conventional materials. By virtue of their superior characteristics, plastics
are replacing various metals and traditional materials almost in all applications. At the same
time, plastics have attracted a lot of attention, not so much for their positive attributes, but
because of their negative environmental impacts.”
It further adds, “It is necessary to understand the positive role that plastics are playing and
could continue to play in improving the quality of life of citizens. This can be done by ensuring
effective management of waste/creating economic wealth from waste that is ‘cash from trash’. Mr. Rajiv B.Tolat
The negativity around the use of plastics needs to be effectively addressed.”
This is the fact about Plastics and it reiterates our stand that Plastics is one the best modern-day
material. The sheer number of entries for the competition also suggests that even the common
man is aware of utility value of Plastics and it is those with vested interest want to ban it. As
it happens an NGO, Delhi Greens, has written to the ministry to remove these competitions
immediately. This is not acceptable and we should support the initiative of the government.

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Maharashtra government has banned compostable bags for retail use restricting the 100%
organic material to agriculture sector. This means if you want to use 100% environment-friendly
bags, you cannot do so.According to a report from Times of India an online brochure on plastic
ban recently released by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board bans “any compostable plastic
bags except for plant nurseries, horticulture, agriculture and handling of solid waste.”
One fails to understand thisfor compostable bags are the one that undergoes degradation by
biological processes during composting to yield CO2, water, inorganic compounds and biomass
at a rate consistent with other compostable materials and leaves no visible, distinguishable
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May better sense prevail.
Rajiv B.Tolat
Hon. Editor
publication@aipma.net

11 August 2018 Plastics News