Plastic manufacturers stare at gloomy future

Coimbatore: With the state government getting ready to implement the ban on plastic from January 1, manufacturers are worried about their livelihood.
Customers have stopped giving orders because of the ban, said Raghupathy S, owner of Classic Polymers at Velandipalayam. “I have six machines but no order. My livelihood will be lost if I am forced to close my company. I have 25 workers, who will lose jobs if the ban is implemented,” he said.

There are over 70 manufacturing units in the city that produces plastic bags, plastic flags, plastic plates, tea, coffee and water cups, and water sachets. The ban will cover them, irrespective of the thickness of the products.

They had faced loses because of GST, said Kandhavel, owner of Sun Polypacks at Ganapathy. “The unit usually produce 20tonnes. But six to eight tonnes are produced now. I had taken loans to invest on machinery. I will be forced to work in some company and struggle for a living,” he told TOI.

Another manufacturer said that the government will lose revenue if the ban is implemented. “We had lost about 50% of income even before the ban. Tamil Nadu government should wait for the Central government’s decision. Most of the owners here have taken loans and the ban would definitely increase non-performing assets. We pay electricity bill amounting to Rs 2lakhs for two months to run machineries. I employ 20 workers. They also will be affected,” said Vairavan P, owner of Amrithaa Polymers.

Kavins Flexo Graphics owner and secretary of the Coimbatore Plastic Manufacturers Association VK Balu said that about 3,500 workers will be affected and the NPA will increase as most of the manufacturers have taken loans.

The manufacturers blamed the government for inefficient solid waste management. The government should create awareness on waste segregation, they said. “Plastic causes problems only because of improper disposal,” a businessman said.