Pune: The state government’s decision to ban plastic carry bags and a slew of other plastic products in phases should not lead to the creation of an illegal market for the bags, activists from the city have stated.
Officials of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and local municipal bodies, who are responsible for the effective implementation of the ban, will have to stress on education and awareness to ensure public support for the ban, experts pointed out.
“The ban on plastic bags of less than 50 microns has been in place for more than 12 years in the state yet these bags are used rampantly. Since the notification of the latest ban on plastic carrybags and products is yet to be issued by the government, we cannot conclusively comment on its efficacy on the ground level,” said Harshad Barde, member of the union government’s drafting committee for the Solid Waste and Plastic Waste Management Rules.
At the same time, Barde said that the government would have to find ways to check the interstate transport of the banned products.
“The ban is going to be effective in Maharashtra, hence manufacturing and use of plastic carrybags will be illegal within the state. But what about neighbouring states where no such ban is in place? The plastic carrybags and products will find an easy route into the state and may lead to the creation of an illegal market where the banned plastic products are easily available. The state has to ensure that such a situation will not arise.”
Medical practitioner and health activist Abhijit More said, “The ban on the manufacture, distribution, and use of plastic bags is a welcome step. However, its implementation is the key and it is certainly not an easy proposition. It is bound to cause certain inconveniences to ordinary people. The implementing machineries should launch a massive education and awareness campaign to ensure public participation in this endeavour, so that it becomes a people’s campaign.”
“Finding practical alternatives is more important. Concerns of lakhs of workers affected by the decision should be resolved amicably,” More said.
