Plastics to be Banned in Maharashtra, Shopkeepers & Citizens Not Aware!

Every monsoon, Mumbaikars dread the sight of the waterlogged streets with clogged drains and plastic bottles, cups and objects floating all over. Keeping in mind, how all the environment problems are due to plastic, the Maharashtra Cabinet is set to reintroduce a plastic ban from this Sunday, on the occasion of the Marathi New Year, Gudi Padwa. The ban will cover plastic carry bags, thermocol and plastic plates, cups, forks, bowls and spoons.

As per reports, plastic manufacturers had recently held a protest in Mumbai to oppose the ban. The Environment Department is in the process of preparing a notification, which is likely to be issued by the end of this week. In November 2017, State Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam had announced a total ban on plastic carry bags throughout the state from March 18 onwards. According to a PTI report, State has already banned plastic carry bags thinner than 50 microns and smaller than 8x12 inches, but there is hardly any effect.

Reportedly, according to a city-based survey across 525 shops including malls, mid-range shops and street vendors, found that 43 percent of all shopkeepers did not know about the ban. Even among those who were aware, 51 percent of the shops have not planned for any alternative for plastic carry bags, and 93 percent said they did not receive any help from the state government so far in implementing alternatives to plastic bags. The Survey report further pointed that, 85 percent of shopkeepers are aware of pollution caused by plastic bags, but they continued using it because customers don't come with their own bags and often refuse to buy products, thus resulting in loss of business.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 16, 2018 01:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).