Page 14 - Plastics News July 2019

AipmA At work

'AIPMA meet' on the recent notification on Bubble Plastics material

meeting was held on Friday, 12th July, 2019 at ban, its impact on the industry and series of occurrences
A 4.00 p.m at AIPMA House, Mumbai to discuss the which took place in last 15 months. They addressed various
recent notification issued by the Environment Depatrment, issues such as Closure of units, increasing illegal practises
Government Of Maharashtra regarding the Bubble Plastics and its impact on genuine enterprises and also interacted
material. with the members to understand the ground realties
regarding it. They advised the members to approach
The meeting was chaired by Mr. Hiten Bheda (Chairman –
Environment Committee, AIPMA). The following members associations so that united and collective actions can be
of the associations attended the meeting: Mr. Arvind considered.
Mehta (Chairman - Governing Council, AIPMA). Mr. Jayesh Mr. Bheda expressed that the recent notification has led
to an ambiguous situation in the industry and informed
that to get the clarity on the subject AIPMA has submitted
a representation to the government to seek clarification
for the recent notification of Maharashtra dated 14th June
2019. He advised the members to reach out to the user
industry in view of this notification since they are affected
party as well.

Mr. Shah was of the opinion that memebers who possess
valid MPCB consents can explore legal options. However,
Mr. Jayesh advised that legal action should be a very
thoughtful decision as the success rate is very low.

Rambhia (Co-Chairman - Environment Committee, AIPMA). Mr. Bheda and Mr. Jayesh informed the members that
Mr. Chandrakant Turakhia (Vice President - Finance, AIPMA has performed an EPR activity and explained the
AIPMA). Mr. Sanjay Shah (President, FPITA) and Mr. Ashish objectives of the project as well. They also informed
Savla (Vice president, FPITA). Over 70 members across that AIPMA requested separately to the government to
Maharashtra convened for the meeting. consider AIPMA EPR Activity so that AIPMA can distribute
the credit points to the small enterprises which will help
The meeting was held to discuss the current status of them to fulfil their EPR compliances, however AIPMA has
plastic ban in view of recent notification (3rd Amendment not received any response from the government yet.
of Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Products
Notification dated 14th June 2019) issued by Government Mr. Rambhia expressed that the current situation is like
of Maharashtra, its implication and way forward. a Tsunami, happening across the globe, approximately
in 130 countries. The industry tried various approaches
In the meeting, various discussions pertaining to the and has taken efforts to solve the issue but till date
agenda took place. Discussions majorly focussed on what substantial results are not obtained. As the action taken
the industry collaboratively can do to reduce problem by the government is very determined action to reduce
of visible plastic pollution in order to save the industry.
visible plastic pollution.
Mr. Bheda and Mr. Shah gave an overview of current status He encouraged the members to analyse and focus on the
of plastic ban in view of recent Maharashtra notification root cause of the problem i.e visible plastic pollution.
dated 14th June 2019 and informed members about the Advised the member to be proactive and focus on the
initiatives and efforts taken by the associations to solve solution which industry can execute at this stage. As a
the problems faced by the industry. They elucidated solution, various activities were suggested such anti-
various points such as the government stand pertaining to littering campaign, waste segregation at source etc.

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