Three months on, Chennai’s plastic ban in tatters
Komal Gautham | TNN | Mar 25, 2019, 06:23 IST
In January about 86 tonnes of banned plastic items were seized from 25,000 shopsIt’s been three months since the government imposed a ban on singleuse plastic in the state, but manufacturers and traders are back to their old ways. Wholesalers admit to a dip in sale of plastic, but say it is not much. And visits to the city’s markets show plastic bags are still in use.The Greater Chennai Corporation, the civic body in charge of enforcement in the city, claimed that it has been conducting regular raids and seizing the banned items.
In January about 86 tonnes of banned plastic items were seized from 25,000 shops. The quantity dipped to one-third in February with 24 tonnes, and further to seven tonnes in March.
Officials cited the survey of lower income groups for the ?2000-special scheme, the collection of property taxes and election model code as reasons for the fall in numbers. “These made it difficult to implement the ban,” said an official. But we continue to raid shops daily, said an engineer.
As plastic continues to flood wholesale markets, questions arise about the availability of plastic material in the market amid the ban on manufacturing units.
“Plastic bags are available everywhere. Why is the blame only on us?” asked Selvan, a fruit seller in Koyambedu market, when asked how he got it despite the ban.
A shopkeeper on Anderson Street, on condition of anonymity, said there was just a 25% dip in manufacturing. “For two months, the production was stopped, so we used the stocked up material. But now, production has restarted. Despite regular raids, products are available with everyone,” said the shopkeeper. He added that apart from plastic sheets that have completely been stopped, other banned items such as carry bags, cups and plates continue to be supplied in the market. “Earlier about 10 tonnes were brought every day and now it has come down to 6 tonnes,” he said.
Jawaharlal Shanmugham, a lawyer cum activist, said, unless penal provisions are implemented, the ban will fade away in a few months. “Though there is enough awareness among people, unless penalties are imposed, especially on the manufacturers and distributors, there will not be a change,” he said.
TN pollution control board officials said they have done everything possible — by calling regular meetings, to guide the civic body to implement the ban. “It is high time they act to ensure the ban does not become just an announcement,” said an official.
GCC commissioner G Prakash said the officials, despite the election work, continue to focus on civic activities. “We have seized banned plastic items on a regular basis. We will step up the raids,” he said.
In January about 86 tonnes of banned plastic items were seized from 25,000 shops. The quantity dipped to one-third in February with 24 tonnes, and further to seven tonnes in March.
Officials cited the survey of lower income groups for the ?2000-special scheme, the collection of property taxes and election model code as reasons for the fall in numbers. “These made it difficult to implement the ban,” said an official. But we continue to raid shops daily, said an engineer.
As plastic continues to flood wholesale markets, questions arise about the availability of plastic material in the market amid the ban on manufacturing units.
“Plastic bags are available everywhere. Why is the blame only on us?” asked Selvan, a fruit seller in Koyambedu market, when asked how he got it despite the ban.
A shopkeeper on Anderson Street, on condition of anonymity, said there was just a 25% dip in manufacturing. “For two months, the production was stopped, so we used the stocked up material. But now, production has restarted. Despite regular raids, products are available with everyone,” said the shopkeeper. He added that apart from plastic sheets that have completely been stopped, other banned items such as carry bags, cups and plates continue to be supplied in the market. “Earlier about 10 tonnes were brought every day and now it has come down to 6 tonnes,” he said.
Jawaharlal Shanmugham, a lawyer cum activist, said, unless penal provisions are implemented, the ban will fade away in a few months. “Though there is enough awareness among people, unless penalties are imposed, especially on the manufacturers and distributors, there will not be a change,” he said.
TN pollution control board officials said they have done everything possible — by calling regular meetings, to guide the civic body to implement the ban. “It is high time they act to ensure the ban does not become just an announcement,” said an official.
GCC commissioner G Prakash said the officials, despite the election work, continue to focus on civic activities. “We have seized banned plastic items on a regular basis. We will step up the raids,” he said.
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