Maharashtra plastic ban: Is your state plastic-free yet?

At the bustling Mira Road vegetable market, ask for 100 grams of ginger and the fragrant root comes in a see-through plastic bag. Vendors here whip out the coloured carriers without any hesitation as if it's a show of defiance against the plastic ban in force in the state.

Head 44 kilometre south for Fort fish market. Customers have come prepared, with sturdier plastic boxes and metal containers, as they buy their favourite stock of mackerel, prawns, surmai and pomfrets.

Ever since the government implemented, on June 23, the ban on single-use plastics and thermocol such as bags, cups, and bottles in its fight against the epidemic of plastic waste, the efforts have ushered in results in varying measures.

According to the rules, steep fines ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000, plus a three months' jail term, will be imposed on offenders. As on September 18, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has collected Rs 1.1 crore in fine and confiscated 18,601 kg plastic.

From lack of viable alternatives, awareness, stiff resistance from plastic manufacturers to concessions by the government, particularly ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections, Maharashtra's plastic ban is a bag that's half empty or half full — depending on how one looks at it.

Ramdas Kadam, minister of environment, when asked about the use of plastic despite the ban, said, "I will call a review meeting on Monday to check the implementation of plastic ban. After that, I will give instructions to all my regional officers to start implementing the ban more strictly. People should also come forward and do the monitoring work. It will help us in keeping Maharashtra a plastic-free state."

Anuradha Deshpande, a member of Mumbai Grahak Panchayat that is actively pressing the government to implement the ban, called the move a failure. "There is lack of planning, and inconsistency in government action." She said paper, seen as the main alternative to plastic, comes from trees and needs more water and energy for manufacturing.

Deshpande said materials like jute has become costlier and its availability is a huge issue. "The government needs to subsidise eco-friendly alternatives for plastic, but it is silent on them."

The activist slammed the plastic buyback scheme saying there isn't any mechanism currently in place for it. "The government has to set up crushing and disposal units. In their absence, the market is again filled with banned plastic products and we cannot blame the common man for that."

Environmentalist Vidyadhar Walavalkar of Paryavaran Dakshata Manch offered a positive outlook. Maharashtra being a major state, he said, implementing the ban won't be a cakewalk. "There are loopholes and there is a need for more alternatives. In a democracy, every decision takes its time for implementation. If the majority thinks that plastics should be banned then it will definitely come into reality. We must give some time to it."

DNA analyses the ban in its current condition; its effects and side-effects, if any, and tries to ascertain how the city is coping with the ban.

Going with flow

The plastic manufacturers, shopkeepers and hoteliers were the most affected after the state government imposed a ban on one-time used plastic items. Initially, the plastic manufacturers association had challenged the decision in the High court on the grounds of this ban threatening their livelihood. The Indian Hotel & Restaurant Association (AHAR) had protested against the fines and retailers had threatened to go on a strike. However, fast-forward to three months and now all stakeholders are settled, or at least seem to be, mostly because many of their demands got a green signal from the state government.

Viren Shah, President of Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA) told DNA, "The ban was started during monsoon, so many customers faced problems due to the non-avaibility of waterproof plastic bags. But now customers come with their thaila (jute or cloth bag), if not, they are ready to buy a bag from us," he said, adding, "Hence, our businesses remain unaffected."

"Earlier, we had problems with the banning of the material used as covers. The government then lifted the ban. So now, we don't have any problems. We support the government in this initiative. We know that the thinner plastic bags choke drainage pipes and are hazardous for the environment," Shah said.

"Our businesses have been shut because of the ongoing plastic ban. However, not even a single person from the association has come forward with any complaints," Ravi Jashnani, President of Maharashtra Plastic Manufacturing Association, MPMA, said.

"All the banned products are manufactured and sold in the state market, so there isn't any impact on our business. When you ban a product in an open market, it will come back through the backdoor. This is what is happening right now. The only thing that has changed is the product cost, which is slightly higher now," said a plastic manufacturer on the condition of anonymity.

The better option

Since the plastic ban has come into force, carrying cloth bags is the new normal for the residents of Thane. Most of them agree that it was a much-needed ban, and it has changed the way they shop, especially groceries. And although their cloth bags become messy with everything dumped together inside, which requires them to sort their buys after reaching home, they do not mind putting an extra effort.

Every time Vineeta Badad leaves her home to buy groceries, a pishwi (cloth bag) is her trusted companion. "My cloth bag goes wherever I go. It's become a habit now," says Badad, a resident of Cadbury junction in Thane. She is fine with cramping all vegetables in one bag. "It is like the good old days when plastic was not that popular, and we carried a pishwi for such purposes," she adds.

Even Shailaja Dhankod, a homemaker from Thane, says that the plastic ban has hardly impacted her life adversely. "I rarely step out of the house and whenever I do, a cloth bag is always with me," says Dhankod.

These residents are also comfortable with using their cloth bags for buying non-vegetarian food as well. "I either carry a dabba with me to the butcher's shop and the fish market or they wrap the meat in a paper. We have a separate bag for that," says Badad.

Though under 50 micron bags have surreptitiously made a come back, they do not forget to carry their steel dabba. "Our butcher gives us the meat wrapped in those thin, black bags," says Gulshan Sheikh Rizwan from Mumbra, Thane. "But, I prefer to take my dabba or ask him to wrap it in a paper instead," she adds.

Although the ban has made their lives a bit tedious and they have to pre-plan their buys (things which can be carried in cloth bags and dabbas), they say it is a good thing. "Plastic is harmful to the environment and this ban was much-needed," says Badad.

A different story

While the Thane residents have slowly adapted to the plastic ban in force since June 23 this year, shopkeepers in Thane are still reeling under its effects. From loss of business to angry customers, they deal with it on a daily basis. Though they are prepared to use paper bags, they still hope that the government realises the need for a plastic packaging material and sordid carry bags, which can be recycled.

Last three months have been quite painful for Krishna Sweets Shop, located outside Thane west. The shop, which is quite popular for its sweets, farsan and snacks, also had to face the angst of customers over chutney.

"Due to the plastic ban, we have started giving dry chutney along with our snacks like samosas, vadas, etc. We have completely stopped giving wet green chutneys as accompaniments as we cannot pack them in plastic bags. And paper bags are of no use," says Goving Garg, who works at Krishna Sweets.

As a result, when the customers hear that there is no wet chutney, they storm out angrily. "There have been times when people have bought sweets and snacks but have canceled their orders after we've told them that we won't be able to pack wet, green chutney," he says. This has resulted in a loss of 30 per cent in business. "However, there are regular customers who bring their dabba for chutney," he adds.

Even the owners of Mahavir Steel and Appliances at Naupada echoe the same sentiment. "We have cloth bags which people have to buy for Rs 20 or we give the products in boxes. Since most of our customers bargain for the price, they see no point in paying extra for the bag and leave angrily," says Virji Bhagat, owner of the shop.

However, Mayur Dedhia of the Janata Steel Palace in Thane says that the ban has been extremely positive. "We have cloth bags available for Rs 10 per piece. When we tell customers that they need to buy these bags, nine out of 10 pull out the cloth bags from their purse," says Dedhia. "I think a ban on the non-reusable items is also needed as it is this plastic which chokes up drainage, and isn't bio-degradable or recyclable. We will be leaving a good future for our children," he adds.

Hiren Shah, Secretary, Chamber of Commerce, Thane, is also in favour of a ban on non-recyclable under 50 micron plastic. "But they should lift the ban on plastic used for packaging products and the carry bags," he says. This ban will now lead to more corruption and will become a new source of bribery for the babus, he adds.

"With octroi being stopped after the local body tax coming into force, the hefty fine of Rs 5,000 for flouting this ban will be a new source of bribe for the babus," says Shah.

He also adds that Thane's businessmen are prepared with paper bags, which are not durable. "The government should understand this and give permission for strong, recyclable plastic bags. I have traveled extensively and a 100 per cent ban on plastic does not exist anywhere," he adds.