Page 9 - Plastics News September 2019

FROM THE EDITOR'S PEN

A Ban Is Not The Solution

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Pcategorically, in his Independence Day speech in Delhi and is all is set to launch the
campaign with a ban on as many as six items on October 2.
Having said that we as Plastics fraternity do not agree to the ‘alleged fact’ that plastics
pollute whereas the fact remains plastics protects and human pollutes with littering and
adding to the pollution. Let’s not forget at the recent deluge across the country it was only
because of Plastics the government could help millions of Indians to survive be it the food
packets or otherwise, it was all plastics that helped everyone.

Plastics littering is a worldwide problem but felt acutely in India because our towns and
villages do not have adequate waste disposal systems. India lacks an organized system for
management of plastic waste, leading to widespread littering across its towns and cities.
The recent verdict from the court of Coral Gables, Florida, wherein the appeals court last
fortnight sided with the Florida Retail Federation and upheld the constitutionality of state
laws which prevent Styrofoam bans.
A three-judge panel of the 3rd District Court of Appeal overturned a ruling by a Miami-Dade Mr. Rajiv B.Tolat
County circuit judge who found three state laws unconstitutional. The new ruling says
state law can and does prevent Coral Gables from enacting a Styrofoam ban. The Florida
Retail Federation's then-President and CEO Randy Miller said thousands of retailers rely on
polystyrene products and that "implementing a patchwork of different ordinances like this,
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If this is the ruling from the city of US that consumes far more plastics as compared to India’s
11 Kgs plastics every year, one needs to check the facts. Indians consume 11 kg of plastic
per year in comparison to 109 kg by an average American.
As we know over the past two decades, 25 of the 29 states and several Union Territories
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Handling) Rules, 2011. The policy sought to disincentivise the use of poly bags by setting up
a pricing mechanism for them and also to establish rules for recycling by local authorities.
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nothing has work for there is no systematic plan on waste management nor do we have the
civic authorities who are accountable to collect the waste.
Bans do not work on the contrary it adds to black marketing. Rather than any move to impose
a ban, there should also be equal emphasis on recycling and waste management. The Plastics
Industry should be given a timeline for transition via tax rebates and by keeping certain eco-
friendly materials tax-free.

Rajiv B.Tolat
Hon. Editor
publication@aipma.net

9 September 2019 Plastics News