Speak up Mumbai: City gives green signal to non-plastic milk package

The impact of plastic ban is getting murkier with every passing day. Now, Maharashtra's dairy sector has decided to suspend the sale of milk in plastic pouches from December 15. They have warned that consumers will have to pay more if milk is supplied in either glass bottles or tetra packs.

According to dairy-owners, the increased cost could be anything between Rs 10 to Rs 30. If this price is included, the cost of one liter of milk will rise up to Rs 60 to Rs 90. There is no clarity over the buyback of either glass bottle or tetra pack.

Early this year, the state government had banned the sale and use of plastic bags. As per the directive, dairies are supposed to put in place a buyback mechanism for the pouches, which will allow consumers to sell the used pouches at 50 paise each. The collected pouches were to be transported to the manufacturers for recycling.

But, the plan could not be materialised and even dairies now claim that the procurement of pouches have become difficult. DNA talked to expert as well as residents to get their views on milk supplied in glass bottle or tetra packs instead of plastic pouches.

VOICES

Dairy industry is already adulterated and later, ban of plastic bags have also added more grievance. When it comes to packing milk, we need to ensure that bottles or plastic bags need to be bio-degradable and eco-friendly as after pouring litres of milk in vessels, throwing away plastic is easy but the consequences are disastrous.
— Sameer Mistry, Malad

Glass bottles may certainly be a  better idea. My parents earlier used the milk bottle as it was supplied only in bottles. It will certainly help reduce the plastic waste problem as these milk pouches form the majority of plastic waste. Also it might help provide new employment opportunities to people.
— Ovee Thorat, Dahisar resident

Milk should be supplied in bottles 100 percent over plastic pouches or bags. Plastic is toxic and not good. I am from the generation where we used to go to milk booth and get bottles of milk. Milk, according to me, gets sour faster when it is in plastic bag as compared to bottles. I am against plastic usage in any case. Even in case of bottled potable water, I would support water stored in earthen pot. Water in plastic bottles is not good. When there is too much sun, on anything that is in plastic, it is not good.
— Deepak Menghnani, Chembur resident

It is a good initiative if bottles replace milk pouches. The government should ensure that these glass bottles are properly sanitized and there aren’t residuals of milk stuck on the glass. Also replacement of glass bottle should be thoroughly channelised so that process is successful. Similar system was in place some years back too. With more plastic being used today, no wonder physical ailments have increased so much than in old times.
— Disha Shah, Andheri resident

Obviously I will prefer getting milk delivered in bottles. They are far more environment friendly and also the bottles are easy to clean and hygienic. However, currently I do receive milk in plastic pouches and it has brine a task to keep them and even to get rid of it is a difficult,
also they occupy a lot of space, and stink too.
— Nadeem Shaikh, Kalyan resident

Milk in glass bottles is better for health than plastic. However, if the glass bottles made compulsory, the changes in the mechanisms of factories and the expensive product will result in the rise in cost and it will burden the common man. The 10 rupees cost hike is not affordable. there are also issues of cleanliness and handling of glass bottles. So it will better to use a better quality plastic and recycling compulsion on companies.
— Asha Mane, Malad resident

Yes milk should be supplied in bottles instead of plastic pouches. It is high time we change our habits. As I am passionately involved in beach clean up, I very well know the huge amount of milk pouches which are found in oceans. We have to understand and have mercy on marine life. We know the marine species mistake plastic as their food and endanger their lives. The pouches floating on the waves is a sight which is so regular now as if they are part of the waves. The number has only increased.
— Poonam Chablani Garg, Andheri resident
 
Milk is a very important part of diet. Milk in a plastic bag is convenient but that comes at a cost of our health. It also causes pollution. While milk coming with a bottle package will affect the consumers’ pocket, it will definitely help in reducing plastic waste. While deciding the cost, manufacturer, supplier should keep in mind the consumers budget.
— Smita Bhingarde, Jogeshwari resident

EXPERT SPEAK

We are not imposing a blanket ban on plastic bags. We want milk suppliers and distributors to be more responsible and recollect discarded bags. Consumers returning such bags should get a discount of 50 paise to Rs 1. We had given them six months to sort out alternatives but they are crying as if this was ordered just yesterday. We will not be cowed down by such tactics.
— Ramdas Kadam, Maharashtra State Environment minister

The new norms will definitely cost more, which will be passed on to the buyer. The government first needs to create an alternative viable system. Glass bottles will cause safety and hygiene issues. With rise in demand, it will be difficult to provide milk in glass bottle. Even, glass can not be recycled. Tetra pack costs will be up to Rs 30 per litre.
— Indranil Chitale, Trader, Dairy Industry