Pune: The Maharashtra Plastic Manufacturers’ Association will be holding a meeting with the government to know how they will be implementing the plastic ban if it is made compulsory in State.
On January 2, Maharashtra government issued a notification on banning plastic carry bags and things made by thermocol or plastic including plates, cups, glass, spoons, flexes, non-woven polypropylene bags banners, decorative items, flags, plastic sheets along with this the production, use, storage, distribution and sale will also be banned. Plastic is already banned in five states including Delhi, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, but due to poor implementation, the ban has failed to achieve desired results.
Ravi Jashnani, President of Maharashtra Plastic Manufacturers’ Association, said, “There is no alternative if the government is thinking to put a ban on plastic. If plastic is banned then carry bags made up of paper will be used which mean more trees will be chopped down. Secondly, we want to know the policies of government to implement it as in five states where this ban is effective people do not adhere to it. In fact, each and every thing like wafers, blood, water, and many such other things plastic is used. I want to know how are they going to pack these items in future.”
Medha Tadpatrikar, Director of Rudra Environmental Solutions, said, “The ban should be issued only when there is a cheaper alternative to it. Plastic is a brilliant product, as it is recyclable. Along with it, the government should promote agencies who recycle the plastic, which will ultimately make the environment safer.”
Suresh Jagtap, PMC Joint Commissioner, said, “Every day we come across nine to 12 per cent of plastic in the garbage, wherein four to five per cent goes for recycling. If the government is putting such a ban then there must be a reason for it. And if this ban is implemented then we have to work accordingly and put a strict fine on people.”
Sanjay Kulkarni, Environment Officer of PCMC, said, “If the govt has come up with such notification, then it should take some strict action against defaulters to keep the environment safe.”
