Page 9 - Plastics News March 2018

FROM THE EDITOR'S PEN

Plastic is made the Scapegoat

he Maharashtra cabinet on Thursday March 15, 2018 approved the environment
Tdepartment’s proposal to ban plastic carry bags and certain other items in Maharashtra.
The ban was earlier set to come into effect on Gudi Padwa, but now it looks like it will be
enforced by the month-end with the issue of a notification. The state government has decided
to implement its decision in phases and the thrust would be on banning one-time use plastic
such as carry bags and cutlery. The ban covers disposable plastic cups, plates, spoons and
flex, but excludes garbage bin liners, milk pouches and PET bottles. The groups likely to be
hit this ban include manufacturers of plastic bags, straws and disposable plastic cutlery, and
retailers, restaurants and food outlets with takeaway food services.
The highlight of the ban is that both manufacturers and users will be penalized. The
punishment is a fine ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 and a jail term of three months.
Implementation will be the responsibility of local bodies and the state pollution control
board (MPCB).
The exemption also applies to plastic containers and sachets used to package grains, pulses
and other goods. It is also likely that all shopkeepers in the state will soon be asked to submit
an undertaking to the local civic bodies that they will refrain from using plastic bags, which
will also become a condition in the new license. It is also important to note that local bodies
will penalise all individuals carrying plastic carry bags, notwithstanding the microns.
Mr. Rajiv B.Tolat
After announcing the ban on all plastic bags, irrespective of their thickness and disposable
cutlery items made of plastic and thermocol, the state government on Friday March 17 said
they have also decided to ban non-woven polypropylene bags, plastic sheets, plastic pouches
and all kinds of plastic films in Maharashtra. However, plastic used for packing and packaging
products has been exempted from the ban.
Given this one fails to understand the rationale and wonders is this some sort of vendetta.
Add to the fact that the minister says on record and I quote “People won’t use plastic bags
if they are not available at the first place,” Now is there any logic in this? This shows their
domain knowledge about the (Plastic) Industry and incompetency. With ban on Plastics Sheets
most of the slum dwellers will be forced to brave the monsoon as they will not be able cover
their hutment /dwellings during the rain.Is there an alternate available?
The government has also introduced a scheme to promote collection of used bottles. Under
this scheme, you have to pay Re1 extra to buy a mineral bottle as refundable recycling charge
which will be refunded if the bottle is returned to the shopkeeper. This will be followed
for milk pouches also. Consumers will have to pay 50 paise per milk pouch, which will be
refunded if it is returned to the shopkeeper. What is this for? We all know EPR is already in
place and industry is working on it. What is the logic in making things costlier? One has to
add to the value and not to the cost!

This isn’t the first time; a plastic ban has been ordered in the state. However the final
notification on the ban is not ready yet as officials are not sure if they will be able to issue
a notification to this effect immediately or will it take some time.
This seems to a bit absurd. We at the All India Plastics Manufacturers' Association, are not happy
with the developments and doing our best. We all know ban on Plastics is not a solution as this
is a failure on the part of waste management and nothing is being done by the government.

The problem lies in littering and not Plastics. We are made the Scapegoat.
Rajiv B.Tolat
Hon. Editor
publication@aipma.net

9 March 2018 Plastics News