By 2018, not just plastic bags, but other plastic products for consumer use like cups and plates may also be banned. State environment department sources told DNA that they were planning to ban not only plastic bags, but also plastic cups and plates considering their impact on public health and the environment. However, the move will be implemented in stages.
Earlier, Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam had announced a ban on plastic bags by Gudhi Padwa (Maharashtrian New Year) in March next year. After the July 26, 2005 deluge in Mumbai, the state had banned plastic bags below 50 microns. However, officials admit that bags below permitted standards are clandestinely brought in from neighbouring states and used by roadside hawkers and vendors.
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) officials said estimates suggested that around 3 to 5 per cent of municipal waste comprised of plastic. Mumbai generates around 10,000 ton solid waste daily. "We are planning to ban plastic in stages beginning with plastic bags. This may cover other uses like plastic cups, plates, some sachets and even thermocol plates. Such plastics pollute the environment and soil, causing flooding during rains and affect public health. Modalities are under consideration," the official said. He added that the ban may be enforced beginning with beaches, forts and tourist spots.
"However, we may have to make exceptions for some consumer uses of plastic like in cargo, logistics, milk, medicinal packing, packaged water and imported goods," the official stated. The official explained they were examining how alternatives to plastic could be evolved. This could involve subsidies to women self-help groups to manufacture cloth bags and involving them in recycling of plastic waste, change in taxation and stiffer penalties to bring down plastic use.
"We plan to brainstorm with experts and stakeholders before a proposal is moved to the cabinet," he added. The real solution, the official pointed out, lay in public participation to enforce the ban, recycling and scientific disposal.
"We will examine models adopted by other states… There can be no blanket ban on plastic. However, plastic can be banned for uses where it cannot be recycled or reused. This means that while plastic chairs and spectacle frames can be manufactured and used, plastic bags, plates and cups can be done away with," explained a MPCB official.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change's Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, state that producers, brand owners and importers of plastic carry bags, multi-layered plastic sachet, pouches, or packaging should establish a system for collecting plastic waste generated due to their products.
An environment department official pointed to how rampant dumping of plastic bags in drains and storm water channels led to flooding and use of such thin bags and cups for serving tea and coffee also had health implications as they consisted of chemical compounds.
Already banned
The manufacture, distribution, stocking or sale of carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic less than 8X12 inches (20X30 cms) in size and below minimum thickness of 50 microns is banned under the Maharashtra Plastic Carry Bags (Manufacture and Usage) Rules, 2006.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "plastic")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}