Plastic ban notification likely by this weekend

Mumbai: Though the State government had said it will ban all types of plastic bottles and milk bags from Gudhi Padwa on Sunday, it has decided to exclude milk bags and water bottles and ban plastic having thickness less than 100 MM. 

In November, Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam announced they will ban all plastic bags and bottles. Kadam held a review meeting on the ban last week. 

Plastic used for packing and packaging will be exempted. Similarly, plastic containers and sachets used to package products such as milk, grains, pulses and other goods will not be banned, said officials. 

The details are still being worked out by studying bans imposed in other states like Karnataka.

In an order issued on January 2, the State Environment Department stated the government intends to ban certain plastic sheets, flexes, banners and flags as well as disposable material made of plastic and thermocol such as plates, cups, glasses, forks, bowls and spoons. In the order, it directed local authorities — municipal corporations, municipal councils, district collectors and chief executive officers of zilla parishads — to ensure strict implementation of proposed ban by taking an undertaking while renewing licences of the retailers/ shopkeepers that they will not sell the banned items, once the ban comes into force.

“Ban on polythene bags used for milk and that used for water bottles will cause inconvenience to people. So we are not enforcing a complete ban. Straws, plastic cutlery and bags are a menace. All these items are not essential and damage the environment beyond repair,” said an official from MPCB. “Plastic sheets have been kept out of the ban’s ambit after a request from political parties, since slum dwellers use it during the rains,” the officer added. 

“Besides plastic bags, we intend to ban flex boards, banners, flags and disposable items made of plastic and thermocol such as plates, cups and spoons. We are studying reports from other states,”said as Kadam.

“We have started the exercise to ensure strict implementation of the ban and create awareness among authorities, shopkeepers and vendors about the ban to be imposed in the coming months,” said Satish Gavai, Additional Chief Secretary, State Environment Department.

The Environment Department is in the process of preparing a notification, which is likely to be issued by the end of this week.