On Gudi Padwa, Maharashtra government to ban plastic carry bags, straws, cutlery

State’s Gudi Padwa gift to the environment is a new and improved plastic ban, which will target the manufacture and sale of these three common items.

The common sight of sipping cutting chai from a plastic cup or drinking cold drinks with straws may soon be a thing of the past. The state government is set to reintroduce a plastic ban from this Sunday, on the occasion of Gudi Padwa. To start with, the ban will focus on the manufacturing of three items – plastic bags, straws and disposable plastic cutlery, like spoons, cups and plates.

The state cabinet passed the plastic ban proposal on Thursday evening. The environment department is in the process of preparing a notification, which is likely to be issued by the end of this week. The idea was first mooted by Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray, who backed the banning of these three items in the first phase of the ban. State environment minister Ramdas Kadam of the Shiv Sena had held a review meeting to discuss the ban last week.

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

A plastic ban had also been put in place after the 2005 deluge as storm water drains were clogged by plastic bags. But the ban of carry bags of up to 50 microns could not be implemented and it did not really have an effect. But leaders are hopeful that this ban on the manufacturing of these three items will be more feasible.

“We want to ensure that the ban is focused on the main problem and is implementable,” Aaditya Thackeray told Mumbai Mirror. “At the same time, we are making sure that people at large aren’t inconvenienced. We are also meeting all stakeholders to look at the solutions and alternatives as soon as possible,” he added.

“At the moment, banning plastic milk packets and water bottles is not feasible. If we ban that, then the price of milk and bottled water will go up. Besides, we don’t have enough glass bottle production to meet the demand for milk and packaged water. So these items are being kept out of the ban’s purview,” said a senior environment department official.

“Straws, plastic cutlery and bags are a menace and the party has taken a view that they must be banned. All these items are not essential and damage the environment beyond repair,” a Sena functionary said.

Apart from manufacturers, the ban is likely to hit retailers, restaurants and outlets selling takeaway food.

A senior cabinet minister said the ban proposes a fine ranging from Rs 5,000 for individuals to Rs 50,000 for institutions flouting the ban. “All shop keepers will be asked to submit an undertaking to the local body that they will not use plastic bags. This will be part of the new license condition. If they still use plastic carry bags, then their license will be cancelled,” said a senior official. People carrying plastic carry bags, regardless of microns, may attract penalties imposed by local bodies.

A senior official from the environment department pointed out that the ban on plastic in Karnataka was supported by both the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Karnataka High Court. A Maharashtra Pollution Control Board official said, “The authorities have been asked to create awareness among citizens about the ban so that citizens can be mentally prepared.” Environment activists say that it is often observed that even though the decisions are made, they become a failure when it comes to implementation.

Stalin D, director of Vanashakti, a Mumbai based NGO working for environmental rights, said it is a bold and welcome move of the state government. However, its implementation is going to be difficult. “My suggestion to the government is to make possession of the banned items an offence, only then can its implementation become really effective,” he said.