Engineering industries in Coimbatore have largely moved over to alternatives to plastics to package the goods the units produce. In the textile mills the use of high micron plastic covers are used as these permitted, say industry sources.
According to R. Ramamoorthy, president of Coimbatore District Small Industries Association, for the last two months the industries have started using tarpaulins and cloth to cover the industrial goods when these are transported.
“We used covers so that there is no dust on the products. Now, industries use alternatives such as tarpaulins or cloth. Though plastic covers of high micron are permitted the availability of the covers is not much,” he said.
“Our vehicles can be checked anywhere while transporting the goods. Hence, we do not take the risk. The small-scale industry owners are aware of the issue,” he said.
S. Surulivel, president of Coimbatore SIDCO Industrial Estate Manufacturers’ Welfare Association, said the steel parts that the units make are covered mainly to avoid scratches when placed together. Plastic tubes are available in the market that can be customised to the required size. Over 50 % of the industries have switched over to these. Though the cost is nearly 30 % higher compared to plastic covers, the tubes can be recycled,” he said. Further, several electronic items now come in paper covers. The Pollution Control Board officials conducted an awareness meeting for industries before the ban on throw away plastics was implemented from January 1 and they had given a list of alternatives, he said.
G. Arulmozhi, secretary of Open End Spinning Mills Association, said yarn and cones are packed in plastic covers in the textile mills. The covers used are of high micron and are manufactured for special purposes. Hence, use of these covers is permitted.
Alternatively, yarn can be packed in carton boxes but it will be very expensive. Hence, the mills continue to use the permitted plastic covers, he said.