Mumbai: The State Cabinet on Thursday decided to impose a ban on plastic products from Gudi Padwa, which falls on March 18. Violation of the ban will invite penal action against sellers and users.
The decision, however, has come in a diluted form as against the draft published by the government. The department has omitted items such as flex, non-woven polypropylene bags, banners, flags, decorative door hangings, plastic sheets, and all types of plastic wrappers.
According to the sources in the Environment department, the ban will be effective only on manufacture, use, storage, distribution and sale of plastic carry bags, thermocol and plastic plates, cups, glasses, forks, bowls and spoons.
The partial ban is attributed to the pressure from plastic manufacturers, who had recently held a protest in Mumbai. The manufacturers had asked the government to rethink the decision and ensure strict implementation of plastic waste management rules.
An empowered committee has been formed to discuss the ban on rest of the plastic goods, with Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam being the chairman.
The State has already banned the production and distribution of plastic carry bags thinner than 50 microns and smaller than 8x12 inches.
“But no visible, effective impact is seen on the ground. Environmental problems due to non-biodegradable plastic are on the rise. Water clogging due to plastic bags causes health hazards. Animals are eating these bags, and marine animals are endangered too,” said an officer from the Environment department.
