Members of the Tamil Nadu Plastics Manufacturers’ Association (TAPMA) held a demonstration on Thursday, urging the State government not to implement the ban on plastics from January 1.
B. Swaminathan, chairman, Environment Committee-TAPMA, said, “The government’s plan to ban single-use plastics is not right and will badly hurt the plastic industries and livelihood of workers.” It was unfortunate that instead of taking a considered decision based on scientific facts, the State government had chosen to announce the ban unilaterally in the Assembly and the same was being reluctantly implemented by the officials of various departments, he claimed.
Big blow to business
The Government Order bans all forms of plastic packaging including the ones used by small retail outlets, grocery shops, whereas the same are permitted for MNCs and FMCG companies. This will hit the business of over 200,000 small vendors, shops, hotels, restaurants and sweet shops, according to TAPMA members.
“The government has not discharged its obligations - creating infrastructure for collection, segregation and facilitation of all waste (including plastics waste) - as per the Plastics Waste Management Rules 2016 and Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, before issuing the G.O.,” said Mr. Swaminathan.
NPA threat
TAPMA members said that more than 5,000 plastics industries, mostly small and medium-sized entreprises, would be forced to shut down and investments to the tune of ₹3,000 crore would become idle. About ₹4,000 crore of loans availed by these SMEs would become non-performing assets. And, over 200,000 direct workers would be rendered jobless.
The protesters wanted the government to defer the proposed ban and hold discussions with all stakeholders for a robust waste management and recycling system. Around 43 associations from across Tamil Nadu joined the protest held in front of the State Guest House, Chepauk. In addition, representatives from other national associations also participated.