Page 22 - Plastics News March 2018
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FeAtures
Maharashtra cabinet approves ban on plastic carry bags
Maharashtra government has decided to implement its decision in phases,the thrust would be on banning
one-time use plastic such as carry bags and cutlery. Whereas milk pouches, PET bottles, garbage bags
and some other plastic products are exempted from the ban.
he Maharashtra cabinet on Thursday March 15, 2018 The exemption also applies to plastic containers and sachets
Tapproved the environment department’s proposal to ban used to package grains, pulses and other goods. It is likely
plastic carry bags and certain other items in Maharashtra. that all shopkeepers in the state will soon be asked to
The ban was earlier set to come into effect on Gudi Padwa, submit an undertaking to the local civic bodies that they
but now it looks like it will be enforced by the month-end will refrain from using plastic bags, which will also become
with the issue of a notification. The ban covers disposable a condition in the new license. It is also important to note
plastic cups, plates, spoons and flex, but excludes garbage that local bodies will penalise all individuals carrying plastic
bin liners and PET bottles. The highlight of the ban is
that both manufacturers and users will be penalized. The carry bags, notwithstanding the microns.
This certainly isn’t the first time; a
plastic ban has been ordered in the
state. The infamous 2005 deluge brought
to light the repercussions of increasing
plastic use, as plastic-clogged drains
flooded the entire city. At the time,
a ban was issued on bags less than 50
microns.
However, the state has decided to
exempt milk pouches, PET bottles,
garbage bags and some other plastic
products from the ban.
With questions being raised over the
effectiveness of the ban on plastic bags
and several other one-time use plastic
punishment is a fine ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 products, the Maharashtra government has decided to
and a jail term of three months. Implementation will be implement its decision in phases. It also decided to exempt
the responsibility of local bodies and the state pollution milk pouches, PET bottles, garbage bags and some other
control board (MPCB). plastic products from the ban. The thrust would be on
The groups likely to be hit this ban include manufacturers banning one-time use plastic such as carry bags and cutlery.
of plastic bags, straws and disposable plastic cutlery, and The government has also introduced a scheme to promote
retailers, restaurants and food outlets with takeaway collection of used bottles. Under this scheme, you have
food services. The proposed fine for violators will range to pay Re1 extra to buy a mineral bottle as refundable
anywhere up to Rs 5,000 for individuals and Rs 50,000 for recycling charge which will be refunded if the bottle is
institutions and three-month imprisonment. returned to the shopkeeper. This will be followed for milk
Some items that are exempted from this ban include plastic pouches also. Consumers will have to pay 50 paise per
or tetra packs used to package milk and water. One prime milk pouch, which will be refunded if it is returned to the
reason for this exclusion is an expected hike in prices of shopkeeper.Significantly, although environment minister
these products and also because the state is low on the Ramdas Kadam said the ban would come into effect
production of glass bottles for packaging the volume of from March 18, the administration was not sure about
these products at the moment. the exact date.
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