Maharashtra plastic ban: Maharashtra government will start penalising all those found using plastic products, including single-use disposable items from tomorrow (Express Photo by Sahil Walia) Maharashtra plastic ban: Maharashtra government will start penalising all those found using plastic products, including single-use disposable items from tomorrow (Express Photo by Sahil Walia) From June 23, India’s second-populous state Maharashtra has started penalising all those found using plastic products, including single-use disposable items. The Devendra Fadnavis-led state government enforced the ban after issuing the Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Products (manufacture, usage, sale, transport, handling, and storage) notification in March this year. The government had given the manufacturers, distributors, and consumers a period of three months to dispose their existing stock and come up with alternatives to plastic usage. While environmentalists welcomed the cabinet’s decision, the plastic industry has slammed the government calling it “retrograde step.” With its huge dependence on plastic and lack of alternatives to the banned products, many also wonder if the plan would be a success. Here is all you need to know about the Maharashtra plastic ban: Also read | Maharashtra’s plastic ban could cost industry Rs 15,000 crore, 3 lakh jobs What is the plastic ban about and when was it implemented? The Maharashtra government on March 23, 2018, banned the manufacture, usage, sale, transport, distribution, wholesale and retail sale and storage, import of plastic bags with or without handle, and disposable products made out of plastic and thermocol. Citing the environmental risks and harm caused to wild animals from ingestion or entanglement in plastic, the government enforced the ban with immediate effect. Also read | Precautions in place to ensure public, small traders aren’t harassed: Environment minister What all plastic products are covered under the ban? Under the notification products manufactured from plastic and thermocol have been covered under the ban. As a result usage of plastic bags with a handle and without handle, disposable cups, and plates, spoons, forks, glasses, and containers is prohibited in the state. Plastic packaging used to wrap and store the product is also included in the ban. Read | Thermocol decorations set to be allowed till end of Ganesh festival Apart from this plastic straw, non-woven polypropene bags, pouches and any other plastic used to store, package and transfer food items will no longer be permitted in the state. Besides, it has banned the use of plastic and thermocol for decoration purposes. Maharashtra plastic ban: While the ban will be implemented within Maharashtra, passengers coming to the state from other parts of the country are also expected to maintain caution while disposing plastic at stations. Maharashtra plastic ban: While the ban will be implemented within Maharashtra, passengers coming to the state from other parts of the country are also expected to maintain caution while disposing plastic at stations. Plastic items excluded from the ban * Plastic used for packaging medicines and drugs * Food grade virgin plastic used for packaging milk * Compostable packaging bags used for horticulture and agriculture purposes * Plastic bags used for exporting goods * Plastic used at the manufacturing stage * Plastic used for handling of solid waste Also read | Plastic manufacturers’ plea against ban: HC to decide date for final arguments on July 20 What is the fine if found using these plastic products? As per the notification, violators will be fined Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 for the first and second-time offense. A third-time offender will have to shell out Rs 25,000 and may also face imprisonment for a period of three months. While the ban will be implemented within Maharashtra, passengers coming to the state from other parts of the country are also expected to maintain caution while disposing plastic at stations. Read | Impose plastic ban on airport premises: Aaditya Thackeray Who will implement and monitor the ban? Officials from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and district and local administration have been authorised to implement it. For regulating this law at tourist locations, tourism police, or Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation has been made responsible. The government has also formed an association comprising of plastic manufacturers, ministry officials and environmental experts to oversee the implementation of the ban. Maharashtra plastic ban: The government has come up with ‘Buy Back’ policy where the stall owner is expected to offer money in return over the plastic bottle deposited by the user. (PTI File photo) Maharashtra plastic ban: The government has come up with ‘Buy Back’ policy where the stall owner is expected to offer money in return over the plastic bottle deposited by the user. (PTI File photo) Confusion on the ground While the notification was passed in March, the government has revised it multiple times over the course of three months. Many in the state are still awaiting a clarity on how the mechanism will it work. The government has come up with ‘Buy Back’ policy where the stall owner is expected to offer money in return over the plastic bottle deposited by the user. While the state government is expected to repay the amount shelled by stall owners in payback, licensees claimed no official communication has been received. “Without a sufficient number of crushing machines at stations, disposing of plastic bottles would not be possible. With only four days left for the ban, we are not sure as to what has to be done of the available bottles,” Amit Mittal, proprietor of three stalls at railway said. On the other hand, the dairy operators in the state have been ordered to put in place a buyback mechanism for plastic milk pouches till July 11. Besides this, they are also not allowed to use plastic bags less than 50 microns thickness to package the milk. They should print a buyback price, of not less than Rs 0.50, for the pouches. Officials of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Milk Federation, an apex federation of district and taluka-level milk unions, said that they have written to the state dairy development and environment departments seeking more information. “We have asked for clarity on how to set up the recollection mechanism and how the refund system will work,” said an official from the federation. Also Read | Maharashtra plastic ban comes into effect today, three-month jail for third-time offenders “Using plastic bags above 50 microns and setting up the buyback mechanism for recycling will put an additional financial burden on dairies. So, the government should guide us in setting up the mechanism and also provide some funds. Otherwise, it may lead to increase in milk prices,” Arun Narke, former president of Indian Dairy Association and director of Gokul Dairy in Kolhapur, said. Maharashtra plastic ban: While environmentalists welcomed the cabinet’s decision, the plastic industry has slammed the government calling it “retrograde step.” (Express Photo by Vignesh Krishnamoorthy) Maharashtra plastic ban: While environmentalists welcomed the cabinet’s decision, the plastic industry has slammed the government calling it “retrograde step.” (Express Photo by Vignesh Krishnamoorthy) Environmentalists welcome move, plastic industry frowns Mumbai-based NGO, Vanshakti, which works for safeguarding the environment, welcomed the government’s decision saying such a ban should have rather been brought 10 years ago. “The menace and damage caused by excessive careless and needless use of plastic has caused a massive damage to the ecosystem,” the NGO’s convener, Stalin D, said. “The burning and degradation of plastic releases carcinogenic toxins. The micro-plastics have entered our food chain. Wherever plastic is needed for packaging like the milk pouches, there cellulose-based compostable plastic can be used,” he suggested, PTI reported. Read | Tough time for fish, meat sellers in Mumbai without alternative options Commercial bodies, like the All India Plastic Manufacturers Association, the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India, say the ban would have an adverse impact on the Rs 50,000-crore industry, besides affecting the ancillary units. MCCI’s vice president Lalit Gandhi said the ban on plastic bags has derailed the production, packaging and supply schedules of the grains, bakery and clothing industries. “Many units are on the verge of closure in the absence of the basic packaging material – the plastic bags – and we fear that nearly three lakh people employed there may become jobless,” he said. Aaditya Thackeray on plastic ban Yuva Sena President Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday said unlike demonetisation, officials had been preparing for the plastic ban move for the last nine months. The leader said there has been a lot of awareness about the plastic ban and only the willful offenders are worried about the fine.<doc-sep>Maharashtra Saturday plastic ban Is there a ban on plastic packaging for medical purpose? NO Is there a ban on rain coat/tarpaulin sheets/pens/Pla… https://t.co/ntuUfYtRw8 — Nidhi Choudhari (@nidhichoudhari) 1529421480000 Is there a ban on PET bottles, milk pouches, garbage bin liners? NO Is there a ban on plastic containers, Tiffin,… https://t.co/kqgq6OUtKY — Nidhi Choudhari (@nidhichoudhari) 1529421943000 polypropylene Is there a ban on high quality carry bags issued erstwhile by malls/shops? YES Is there a ban on plastic/thermoco… https://t.co/IbMiFTjgJx — Nidhi Choudhari (@nidhichoudhari) 1529422577000 Image shared by Nidhi Choudhari, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Special), BMC on twitter #PlasticBan Fine for 1st offence ₹ 5000/- Fine for 2nd Offence ₹10000/- Fine for subsequent offence ₹25000 & 3… https://t.co/fOyxDkNmmX — Nidhi Choudhari (@nidhichoudhari) 1529504143000 BMC clarifies doubts Alternatives to plastic packaging How to dispose wet waste Toll free helpline March 23 As the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-ledgovernment enforced the ban on a variety of plastic items -- announced in March -- from, environment minister Ramdas Kadam said that errant manufacturers will face a strong action.Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) collected 591.67 kilograms of banned plastic and around Rs 4 lakh as fine on Sunday, following thein the state. The BMC launched a drive against the plastic on Saturday and formed various teams to conduct raids at various places. Anyone who was found using plastic was imposed with a fine.If you are unsure about what the ban covers and excludes, this list should come handy.PET bottles, milk pouches, garbage bin linersPlastic containers, Tiffin, bottles etcPlastic bags used for agriculture, horticulture, plant nurseriesPlastic packaging for medical purposeRain coat,tarpaulin sheets,pensPlastic wrapper of biscuits, chipsPlastic packaging of products at manufacturing stageBags made up of plastic (with or without handles)Articles made up of thermocol, plastic for single use onlyPlastic bags, container,bags used in hotels to store and sell eatables and food itemsPlastic pouches used for storing liquidUse of thermocol and plastic for decoration purposesDisposable cutlery, plates, bowls, cups etcNon Woven polypropylene bagsThe ban covers entire Maharashtra, and visitors from other parts of the country are also expected to maintain caution while disposing plastic.The first-time defaulters will be fined Rs 5000 and second time defaulters will be fined Rs 10000, whereas the third time defaulters will be penalized Rs.25000 and a three-year imprisonment.At an ongoing BMC exhibition on alternatives to plastic, citizens posed several questions to Sangita Hasnale, assistant municipal commissioner – markets department:A. You can call 1800-222-357 and BMC will take actionA. Names of all inspectors have been uploaded in BMC website ( http://www.mcgm.gov.in Sellers can pack them in paper pouches; consumer can transfer them into airtight containers immediately on reaching homeMedicines can be sole in such packets, but they cannot be carried in plastic bagsCarry a steel containerOr take water resistanr tote bag made of jute, synthetic materisUnbranded milk,. Curd, dairy productsUse steel container or cartons made of recycleable matter: corn, bagasse, woodRestuarants can use reusable containersCartons of areca, jackfruit or betel leaf, bamboo and wood which do not absorb liquid also workSuch cartons are also microwaveableEdible cutlery is also available which are made of foodgrainsKraft paper pouchesBags of cloth, silk, jute, xcanvas, muslin, wicket, potato and corn starch are compostableThey can handle up to 3 to 5 kgsPaper and compostable garbage bag linersCitizens can calland BMC, in turn, will send staff to collect banned plastic. Discarded items will be handed over to recyclersOn, the state government imposed a ban on manufacturing, use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic materials such as one-time-use bags, spoons, plates, PET and PETE bottles and thermocol items. The government gave three months for the disposal of existing stocks. *An earlier version of the story erroneously mentioned certain items in the permitted list which were not allowed. We have revised the article.<doc-sep>
Representational image Maharashtra plastic ban: Starting June 23, India’s second populous state Maharashtra will see plastic ban in effect after a three-month disposal period. The Devendra Fadnavis-led state government enforced the ban after issuing the Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol products (manufacture, usage, sale, transport, handling, and storage) notification in March this year. Manufacturers, distributors and consumers were asked to dispose off their existing stock and come up with alternatives in the meantime. With huge dependence on plastic and lack of economical alternatives, it is yet to be seen if penalising those found using plastic products, will act as a deterrent or not. When was plastic ban declared in Maharashtra? On March 23 this year, the Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government banned the manufacture, usage, sale, transport, distribution, wholesale/retail sale, storage import of plastic bags with or without handle, and disposable products made out of plastic and thermocol. Why is plastic banned in Maharashtra? The Maharashtra government banned plastic in the state keeping in view environmental risks and harm caused to wild animals from ingestion or entanglement in plastic. Which plastic products are covered the ban in Maharashtra? Products manufactured from plastic and thermocol have been covered under the ban. This means plastic bags with or without a handle, disposable cups, forks, glasses, plates, containers is prohibited in the state. Any plastic packaging used to wrap and store products is also banned as per the notification by Maharashtra government. Plastic straws, non-woven polypropene bags, pouches and any other plastic used to store, package and transfer food items will also not be permitted in the state. Apart from this, use of plastic and thermocol for decoration purposes is also banned. Which items are excluded from the plastic ban in Maharashtra? # Plastic used at manufacturing stage # Plastic used for handling solid waste # Compostable packaging bags used for horticulture and agriculture purposes # Food grade virgin plastic used for packaging milk # Plastic used for packaging medicines and drugs # Plastic bags used for exporting goods What is the penalising amount for offenders of plastic ban? If anyone is found violating the plastic ban in Maharashtra, he/she will be fined Rs 5,000 for the first time and Rs 10,000 for the second time. One who violates plastic ban for the third time will have to pay a fine of Rs 25,000 and may also face imprisonment for a period of three months. Is the ban applicable to visitors as well? The plastic ban will be implemented in Maharashtra, but passengers and visitors coming to the state are also advised to maintain caution while disposing plastic at public places. Latest India News