Mumbai: Now face police action for using banned plastic, thermocol

Individual consumers and establishments using banned plastic and thermocol will soon be penalised by the police. The state environment department has written to the director general of police and the commissioners of police and district superintendents seeking action against those violating the ban on the use of single-use and disposable plastic and thermocol.

"Though the police were authorised to implement and take action, they were going soft on it," said a senior official from the state environment department. The Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Products (Manufacture, Usage, Sale, Transport, Handling and Storage) Notification, 2018, which was issued on March 23, empowered tourism police, police inspectors, and sub-inspectors to take action against violators under their jurisdiction.

The Maharashtra government has banned disposable, single-use plastic and plastic products, and thermocol. Under the notification, violators face stringent fines ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 and three months in jail. Subsequent offences will be lodged before the court, which will decide the quantum of the penalty.

The official indicated they would take action against producers like those of multi-layer packaging and PET and PETE bottles who did not submit their extended producer responsibility (EPR) plans to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for approval.

The letter by BN Patil, Director, Environment, dated September 28, seeks that necessary instructions be given to the officials concerned for the implementation of the ban and an action taken report be submitted to the state government.

Last month, Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam had asked officials to ensure strict implementation of the ban and take action against violators, including consumers.

MPCB estimates suggest around 3- 5 per cent of municipal waste consists of plastic. Mumbai generates around 7,000- 8,000 metric tonne solid waste daily, whereas the figure for all 262 urban local bodies in Maharashtra is around 24,000 metric tons

THE PUNISHMENT

Under the notification, violators face stringent fines ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 and three months in jail.