The new rule states that plastic bags less than 40 microns thick will not be allowed. Hence, all sachets of gutkha, tobacco and pan masala will not be allowed any more.
The latest Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, announced by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) in February came under sharp focus at a meeting of plastic manufacturers, social activists and civic officials held in the city on Wednesday.
The new rule states that plastic bags less than 40 microns thick will not be allowed. Hence, all sachets of gutkha, tobacco and pan masala will not be allowed any more. Various stakeholders — among them social organisations, social activists and traders — demanded strict implementation of the rules.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had called a meeting of the various stakeholders to discuss the implementation of the same.
Jyotiprakash Saraf, member of the Plastic manufacturers’ association, suggested various ways to use waste plastic bags.
He said the Himachal Pradesh government had launched a drive to collect waste plastic from all cities and use it for road construction.
“We too have to look at similar solutions so that waste plastic is put to use. The waste pickers complain that there are no takers for waste plastic. Hence, such solutions are necessary,’’ he said.
Shabana Diler from Kagad Kach Patra Kashtkari Sanghatana stated that most of the plastic collected by the waste pickers was not recyclable and it all went in the landfill.
“In order to stop this, it is necessary that only recyclable plastic is in use. Traders and corporation also need to come forward to purchase waste plastic,’’ she said.
Pramod Shah, member of Maharashtra plastic manufacturers association, stated that manufacturers were ready to put up collection centres at various places to purchase the plastic collected by waste pickers.
Director of Janwani, Kishori Gadre, said the problem starts when plastic becomes waste and the focus has to be on plastic waste management. PMC’s deputy commissioner for solid waste management, Suresh Jagtap, and deputy commissioner for urban community development, Dnyaneshwar Mulak, were present.
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