Page 54 - Plastics News September 2017

IN THE NEWS

Maharashtra Government to Mumbai Metro receives 12k

ban plastic carry bags in 2018 bottles a day for recycling

aharashtra environment umbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) has
Mminister, Ramdas Kadam, Msaid that commuters of the Versova-Ghatkopar
has set a target of completely Metro-1 corridor have been depositing 12,000 plastic
banning plastic carry bags bottles on an average every day on weekdays at the six
in Maharashtra from Gudhi bottle crushing machines since its introduction in July.
Padwa, the traditional new
"Environment-conscious metro commuters have begun
year of Marathi Hindus falling
using the bottle crusher machines. As awareness
in March-April, next year. The
regarding these machines spreads, more commuters
Shiv Sena minister convened a
will come forward to use them. At present, about
meeting to discuss the proposal
in Mantralaya with senior bureaucrats such as environment
secretary Satish Gavai and the Maharashtra Pollution
Control Board member secretary PN Anbalgan. Kadam said,
“We have invited proposals from various organisations to
suggest alternatives to plastic bags.

There is also a proposal of giving a subsidy to women self-
help groups, and getting them to supply cloth bags.” The
ban on the plastic bags below 50 microns was imposed
by the government after the 2005 deluge that claimed
several lives in Mumbai and its suburbs.
While a ban on plastic bags less than 50 microns in
2,000 bottles are crushed by commuters everyday on
thickness has been in effect across the state since
weekdays in each unit," MMOPL spokesperson said.
February 24, 2015, lack of proper implementation has
MMOPL, had installed plastic bottle crushers in July
kept the bags in rampant use even now.“The ban could not
2017at DN Nagar, Andheri, Chakala, Marol Naka, Saki
be implemented due to lack of people’s acceptance that
Naka and Ghatkopar Metro stations.
it is harmful to the environment. Even if they are aware
about its effect, they continue to use it as they place their The bottles are recycled and used as raw material for
convenience over the environment,” said Satish Gavai, clothing, carpet and grocery bags. “As an ecologically-
Additional Chief Secretary, Environment Department. conscious utility, we strive to keep the environment
clean and green, and are always keen to adopt the
However, the ministry hopes that things will be different
best practices towards creating a Swachh Bharat.
this time as they have placed greater stress on creating
Mumbai Metro has already become synonymous with
awareness and providing alternatives.The minister plans
cleanliness,” said the spokesperson.
to hold meetings with all municipal corporations across
the state to discuss the ban on plastic carry bags. “We will For their efforts, commuters are entitled to instant
publicise the initiative through All India Radio, FM radio rewards in the form of redeemable coupons, which
stations and Doordarshan,” the environment minister said. are dispensed by the machine. These coupons with
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had recently called discounts of 20-25 per cent can be redeemed at select
for a ban on plastic entirely after the recent August 29 brand outlets. In its bid to be environment-conscious,
torrential rain and fl ooding that brought Mumbai to a MMOPL ensures that coaches of the Metro-1 corridor
standstill. are washed with recycled water.

Plastics News | September 2017 54