Page 68 - Plastics News June 2019

IN THE NEWS

NGT asks expert panel to probe Plastic ban in Maharashtra will

if more norms needed to restrict take time to be successful

use of Plastic
hiv Sena youth wing leader Aaditya Thackeray
Srecently said it will take at least three to four years
he National Green Tribunal has set up an expert
Tcommittee to probe whether there is a need for for the 100 per cent plastic ban to be successful. “I
further norms to restrict plastic packaging of food don’t say that the plastic ban will be 100 per cent
products after a plea has sought a ban on it citing health successful in one year. It will take 3-4 years for it. But
the success of the plastic ban is that the people have
started talking about it and the alternatives to plastic,”
said Thackeray. Thackeray was speaking at a programme
organised by the state Environment Department and
the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board on the eve
of World Environment Day. Chief Minister Devendra
Fadnavis, Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam,
Minister of State for Environment Pravin Pote were
present for the programme. “The state has taken a
lead in implementing the plastic ban and the credit
and environment concerns.A bench headed by NGT goes to the people,” said Fadnavis. Ramdas Kadam
Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel formed the panel said, “We must realise that cities contribute more in
which comprises representatives of Food Safety and pollution. So, our responsibility and role is larger to
Standards Authority of India, Bureau of Indian Standards, protect environment. We are working hard on sewage
Central Pollution Control Board and Directorate General of treatment and solid waste management. Our attempt
Health Services.“We are of the opinion that the question is to treat the sewage water 100 per cent in the next
whether any further regulatory provisions are required 2-3 years so that it can then be given to farmers and
on the subject of restrictions on the packaging by use industries.” Kadam added that he will take steps
of plastic material, after the steps already taken, and if to ensure the effective implementation of the plastic
so to what extent be examined by an Expert Committee ban and will make it 90 per cent successful before
comprising of the representatives of FSSAI, BIS, CPCB
and DGHS.“The nodal agency for coordination will be
the FSSAI. The committee will be at liberty to co opt any
other expert/ institute or individual and furnish its report
to this tribunal within three months by e-mail,” the bench
said. NGT was hearing a petition filed by NGO Him Jagriti
Uttaranchal Welfare Society seeking ban on the use of
plastic bottle and multi-layered/plastic packages /pet
bottles. The NGO said the notification dated December
24, 2018, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare under Section 92 of Food Safety and Standards
Act, 2006 deals with the issue of packaging mode of food
but it ignores Antimony and Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate
(DEHP) in specific migration limits provided for plastic
packaging The tribunal also noted the stand of Ministry the Assembly polls. “The waste from the dumping
of Environment and Forests that the provision for phasing grounds of municipal corporations and councils should
out multi-layered plastic may not be immediately feasible be converted into organic fertiliser and be given to
without alternatives. The matter is posted for next hearing farmers with 50 per cent subsidy. It will surely help
on October 14. reduce the farmer suicides in the state,” said Kadam.

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