Awareness on plastic ban increased: PMC

According to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), post the plastic ban, the authorities have confiscated 46,605 kg of plastic waste between March 2018 and January 2019. A total of 1063 cases were reported and an amount of Rs 35,36,140 was collected as fine from the offenders inPune.

”Awareness has increased among people and we too are constantly keeping a check so that there is no plastic circulating in the market. We are taking actions against the offenders and violators,” said Dnyaneshwar Molak, Head of Solid Waste Management, PMC.

He further said, “In next three months, the seized plastic will be given to two companies based out of India to convert it into fuel.” 

The names of the companies were not disclosed. “Every day, 160 metric tonnes of garbage is getting recycled, which also includes seized plastic,” he said.

Talking about the supply of black garbage liners, Molak said, “We are constantly checking for these garbage bags and confiscating it on daily basis. In fact, today, we confiscated 400 kg of such liner bags. We are constantly looking for violators.” Suchismita Pai of SwaCH said, “Any behaviour takes a lot of time to change. Hence, it is imperative that there are strong and consistent reinforcements of the rules.”

Talking about the plastic being circulated in the market, she said, “There is a lot of confusion as fake compostable bags are quite alike in appearance. Thus, it is important to make it easily identifiable. To make the ban more effective, it is very important to provide people with alternatives and educate them constantly to see a positive impact.”