Page 9 - Plastics News February 2020

FROM THE EDITOR'S PEN

Why Can't We Bring A Ban On Plastic Ban

Could there be a law (preemption) that do not allow the governing body to enforce a ban.
Perhaps you might not know but there is. In a recent case first of three bills on banning plastics
in Colarado failed to clear first Senate committee of state Sen. Angela Williams, D-Denver,
who joined with the Senate Local Government Committee’s two Republicans to shoot down
Senate Bill 10. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, would strike a state law,
known as preemption, that prohibits local governments from banning certain kinds of plastics
in their communities. Let Denver determine its own plastics future,” asked Denver City
Council President Jolon Clark. Donovan's bill attempts keep the conversation about whether
to ban plastics, or allow them, within local communities and under Colorado's laws around
local control.
The times have changed so should we. The bill drew an interesting mix of opposition. Denver
City Councilwoman Kendra Black commented what’s good for Denver is not necessarily good
for the rest of the state.

As per experts the constitutional principles of preemption (ban on banning regulation) in
whatever particular field of law they operate, are designed with a common end in view: Mr. Rajiv B.Tolat
to avoid conflicting regulation of conduct by various official bodies which might have some
authority over the subject matter. Given the fact in a democracy one cannot stop any legal
business trade that has been productive and contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic
Product (GDP).
The Indian Plastics Industry is definitely quite a big industry contributing to over 5 % of the
GDP and with the recent global controversies over plastics has been adding to the confusion.
While the world over plastics consumption is quite high, ranging from 24 to 36 Kg, the Indian
per capita Plastic consumption is around 10 Kg and one wonders why does India apes the
west and calls for a ban on plastics.

Also in Thailand dozens of Thai 'Plastic bag' manufacturers are at risk of closing their businesses
and have asked The Thai Labour Minister MR Chatu Mongol Sonakul to step in and help overcome
the uncertain work prospects within the industry.
It has been discussed time and again that Plastics are made scapegoats for the erratic solid
waste management practices and ban is not the solution. As rightly said Whats good for US
and Europe may not necessarily be good for the rest of the world for they do not consume
same amount of Plastics. It’s high time the law enforcing body introspects before jumping
on to conclusion.

Perhaps, we need to work on things so that ban could not be enforced on businesses any more.

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

9 Februar y 2020 Plastics News