Page 9 - Plastics Nuews October 2017

FROM THE EDITOR'S PEN

Being Innovative is the way forward

t the outset I would like to thank the Managing Committee and Office Bearers for appointing
Ame as the Editor of Plastics News. I hereby like to congratulate the new Office Bearers Team
which has been elected and wish them all the best. Collectively we would try maintaining the
standard that our preceding team had set.

Recently the Finance Minister has revised the GST rates and as such the duty applicable
on Plastics waste is now 5% and we appreciate that. Further to this we would also
request to the minister to consider revising rates applicable on reprocessed Plastics
Granules to 5% from the current rate of 18% as this would bring the much needed
boost to the recycling industry.

World over the move towards innovation and sustainability have set the challenge of
making the most of plastics’ benefits without increasing environmental impacts. And
we are able to do our bit as well. India has pioneered a new technology to produce
tiles from discarded bags.
Researchers at the National Physical Laboratory Delhi have found a way to transform
plastic waste into tiles which can be used in day to day life. A large amount of plastics
waste will be sourced from members of local rag pickers associations. Around 600
plastic bags would be used to create one tile, which can be used to decorate bathrooms Mr. Rajiv B.Tolat
and also to make pavements. The research team has already received an order for
over 5 lakhs recycled tiles from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Moreover appreciating the effort the department of science and technology has
announced it will promote the sustainable tiles in its upcoming campaign for better
sanitation facilities throughout the country.
On the other hand Evoware of Indonesia a maker of edible bioplastics made from
seaweed is among one of the winners in a global design challenge aimed at lessening
the impact of plastics in the environment. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation awarded
Evoware of Indonesia, which makes food wrappings and sachets from the bioplastic,
as among award winners of its first ever $1 million Circular Design Challenge. Evoware
has created an edible alternative to the commonly used multi-layered plastic sachet.
It manufactures the material directly from plant matter, making it not only edible but
also nutritious. One can literally eat the burger with the wrapping still on, or dissolve
the coffee granules along with their sachet in hot water and drink it. Another winner
is a company called Algramo in Chile, which is promoting reusable plastic containers
as an alternative to single-use packaging such as sachets.
Innovation is the key...

Wish Happy Diwali and A Prosoperous New Year to all our readers!!

Hon. Editor

Mr. Rajiv B.Tolat

9 Octob er 2017 | Plastics News