Now, 70-micron plastic bags may come under ban

The ban on polythene bags may get extended beyond 50 microns. The civic administration, which was recently asked by the government to formulate a draft suggesting revisions to the existing ban, is likely to recommend the inclusion of plastic bags made up of polythene thicker than 50 microns in the ban’s ambit.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that to increase the efficacy of the ban, carrybags below 70 microns could well be brought under the scanner.

The anti-plastic carrybag drive begun with a ban on the use of plastic below 20 microns in 2005. A year later, the ban was extended to below 50-micron plastic. A senior civic official said that any ban has to be progressive in nature. The draft recommendations prepared by the civic body will be tabled before the corporation next week.

The draft will also suggest recommendations of including thin bags (not classified as carrybags) in the ban’s ambit. Current provisions in the Maharashtra Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Ordinance, 2006, exclude thin plastic.

The civic administration is likely to press for a restriction on the use of materials like cups and plates made of thin plastic.

Dr Mahindra Parmar, president, All India Plastic Manufacturers’ Association, said that his organisation will not have an objection to an extension of the ban to 70 micron. “We feel that this will only increase the tendency of the people to re-use permitted plastic. This will lead to a reduction in discarded plastic,” he said.

Dr Parmar also said that quality polythene bags are made of above 100-micron plastic. He, however, added that ban on plastic of any thickness will not work till proper arrangements are made for its efficient disposal. The association has proposed to work with the BMC to set up recycling centres.