However, plastic manufacturers will have to follow state government guidelines, while using the exempted plastic packaging material.
The state government may decide to exempt garment and food packaging materials from its plastic ban. However, plastic manufacturers will have to follow state government guidelines, while using the exempted plastic packaging material.
The exempted materials include food packages, garment packaging materials, etc. This decision came into force after a discussion between the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) and plastic manufacturing associations on Thursday.
A senior government official from the state environment department, who was a part of the high-level meeting, said: "We are willing to cooperate, but the plastic manufacturers will have to adhere to the directives set by the government. Plastic manufacturers will now have to mention the name, address and contact number of their registered firms. Also, they will have to obtain the registered number from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), which will have to be mentioned on the packaging material. This will fix responsibility."
Another official said: "There has to be a robust buyback plastic collection system. It should be an integrated system, with a strong network of rag pickers, scrap dealers, and NGOs, ensuring zero plastic littering. In a bid to consume a lot of the waste plastic, it has been decided to make it compulsory to use 8 per cent of the discarded plastic for the construction of roads. For the ban to work effectively, plastic associations and people need to be a part of this plastic ban movement."
"We had made it clear that plastic bags will be completely banned. The plastic packaging material size should not be less than 50 microns. However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and environment minister Ramdas Kadam will take the final call, and a notification to the effect will be accordingly issued," said another official, requesting anonymity.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Shah, President of Flexible Packaging Industries and Trader Association confirmed the meeting with the officials from the Chief Minister's Office. "We welcome the government's move to exempt plastic packaging material from the plastic ban. It will give us immense relief. We are ready to follow the government-prescribed guidelines," Shah said.
Rajesh Malde, plastic food packaging trader in Matunga, said adequate time needs to be given to follow and implement such strict rules. "We have invested heavily in this industry. Our families depend on it. We are ready to make changes in our business format. But the government should extend all possible help. Otherwise, our families will be on the streets," Malde said.
FOCUS POINT
- The exempted material may include food packages, garment packaging materials, etc.
- A discussion or meeting was held between the CMO and plastic manufacturing associations on Thursday
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