War against plastic bags gathers steam

The war against use of plastic bags has just become hotter. The state government is  now looking at innovative ways to control the menace.

It also wants to involve unemployed youths, NGOs and volunteers for effective implementation. Earlier this week, the BMC also levied a price on plastic bags to discourage shoppers from using them.

The environment department of the state government has prepared a draft notification to amend the Maharashtra Plastic Carry Bags (Manufacture and Usage) Rules, 2006, and invited suggestions and objections to it by July 22.

“Maharashtra Plastic Carry Bags (Manufacture and Usage) Rules, 2011, is more stringent than the Central rules that deal with the restrictions on use of plastic bags. The Centre has imposed a ban on bags made of less than 40 microns, while our limit is 50 microns,” said Valsa Nair Singh, secretary, environment department. “The latest notification is to invite suggestions from the stakeholders. We will introduce amendment to the rule books once we receive them.”

The new rules call for manufacturers to collect used plastic bags, containers, pouches, sachets and arrange for their scientific disposal. The rules also propose prohibiting disposal and throwing of plastic in all protected areas, hill stations, mangroves, water bodies, religious places and schools, and put the responsibility on the “authorities in-charge”, like the local civic body etc, to ensure its implementation.

The rules also say that no plastic bags or containers should be burnt in open residential areas or in dumping grounds, and call for only its scientific disposal.