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| Edited By: Sanjay Jog |Source: DNA |Updated: Apr 02, 2018, 06:05 AM IST
Since the ban on thermacol, plastic carry bags and cutlery was effected a fortnight ago, its essence remains largely on paper due to several implementation related issues. In an interview, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) member secretary Dr P Anbalagan emphasized that the state will be free of plastic carry bags and thermocol cutlery before the end of 2018.
The implementation has started on a reasonably good note. The discussion was initiated almost six months ago and the MPCB had undertaken enough number of awareness campaigns. Though its incomplete, our campaigns across the state not only covered the major urban centres but also the small towns. The minister, environment secretary and myself conducted meetings with all the stakeholders across all the six revenue divisions. Predominantly, the urban local bodies (ULBs) are responsible for enforcing the plastic ban.
As per the government notification, the manufacturers are supposed to sell the stock of plastic carry bags within a month. The statutory instructions have been given to the GST department to take note of the actual quantity so that the manufacturers should not add to their remaining stock. The government may give another month to clear the pending stock.
Maharashtra being a huge state, there are a couple of issues we are trying to sort it out. MPCB as a regulator for waste management will soon start a full fledged campaign which will be like a public movement. It will go on for at least a year.
We need to have enough data to substantiate the quantum of employment we are going to lose. Plastic can be replaced by jute, cotton and paper for carry bags. It is only the material which is going to be replaced. In fact, it might generate more jobs.
Plastic management rules mandate the manufacturers or producers to establish a collection mechanism and a recycling facility. That way, the major responsibility squarely lies with the manufacturers and ULBs. It will not be proper for them to disown it.
Solid waste rules mandate ULBs to put up a mechanism wherein they should be collecting plastic separately and setting up a facility or give it for recycling. Only in Pimpri Chinchwad has a facility to treat plastic but no other municipal body has a dedicated facility in place. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is trying to establish collection centres particularly for bulk generators or institutional generators.
We are trying to start a web portal whereby every offender will be tagged. It will be a costly affair to commit an offence.
Technically, we should be free of plastic within a month which is the mandate. With the people's movement, Maharashtra will be completely plastic carry bag free even before the end of 2018. My appeal to the consumer is to handover the stuff lying with them to the ULBs, desist from the usage of plastic carry bags and cutlery and switch over to paper and cotton made bags.
