This plastic, which otherwise does not decompose and pollutes the soil and clogs the drains, will be recycled and used in the cement industry, road construction and as industrial fuel
After proposing a ban on plastic, the state government is planning to forge tie-ups between municipal bodies and waste-to-energy units and cement plants to dispose of existing stocks of plastic waste. This plastic, which otherwise does not decompose and pollutes the soil and clogs the drains, will be recycled and used in the cement industry, road construction and as industrial fuel.
"The ban on plastic bags and non-reusable products will prevent the generation of fresh plastic. However, we will have to work on disposing of old plastic stocks. Hence, we will work on identifying existing plastic waste and create linkages between local bodies and industries which use plastic in manufacturing processes. This waste plastic can be used in cement manufacturing, road construction, and manufacturing of industrial fuel," said a senior official from the state environment department.
Environment minister Ramdas Kadam has emphasised on banning plastic bags from Gudi Padwa (March 2018) considering its environmental impact, while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has promised a complete ban on plastic in six months with alternatives being put in place.
Plastic can be used for the construction of roads, industrial manufacturing of cement and around 1.25 kg of plastic waste can be converted to a liter of industrial fuel, the official noted. "The existing plastic litter can be diverted to these manufacturers. We plan to enable the testing of prototypes," he added, stating that rag pickers and the informal sector could be given incentives for collection of plastic waste.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) officials estimate that around 3 to 5 per cent of municipal waste comprises plastic. Mumbai generates around 10,000 tonne solid waste daily. The state plans to ban plastic bags, water packaged in PET bottles for sale in starred residential hotels.
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