Traders bat for primary packaging at retail level in Maharashtra

Traders have called upon the state government to allow primary plastic packaging at the retail level and issue a clarification on it. The Federation of Retail Traders will move the Bombay High Court on the same on Friday.

The Federation has objected to multi-layer packaging on the grounds that it is harmful and environmentally unfriendly.

The Federation president Viren Shah told DNA: "Primary packaging (polypropylene (PP) bags need to be allowed as they are recyclable, while multi-layer plastic is non-recyclable. Even ragpickers will not touch them and it will be thrown in manholes. There is a need to ban all less than 50 microns plastic." He said traders would like to know what is the alternate to plastic, which is strong and water proof.

He said it is quite strange that primary packaging at retail level for fruits, vegetables, bread, pulses, garments and other essential commodities is banned, while mineral water companies, plastic bottles and milk plastic pouches are allowed. "There should not be any discrimination between these products and also between provision stores and big companies. The government will have to quickly intervene and sort out these issues. There should not be any double standards," he noted.

On the action from BMC inspectors, Shah said that there should not be any coercive action against PP packaging materials, which are essential to protect products from dust and water. Besides, these packaging material at the retail level should not be penalised.