Starting from Gudi Padwa, the Maharashtra cabinet has imposed a ban on the use of plastic bags and single-use disposable products like forks, spoons, plates, bowls, cups, and straws. The draft of the proposed ban also mentions items such as flex boards, banners, plastic wrappers, plastic sheets, and flags. With this Maharashtra becomes the eighteenth state to ban plastics in India (implementation is not easy though!). Not to forget the fact that the state contributes to 30 percent of all plastic waste in India. The decision to ban plastic comes after the flooding in Mumbai in 2017 which was a result of plastic waste and construction debris. Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam has stated that ‘plastic ban’ is the brainchild of Aaditya Thackeray, youth wing leader of Shiv Sena.
ExemptionThe ban excludes plastic used for packaging medicines and also when the manufacturer takes the responsibility to recycle it. The goods that are exempted are plastic containers and sachets used for packing grains, pulses and plastic/tetra packs used to pack milk and water. As the complete ban of the plastic may also result in the hike in prices of the products.
Return pouch/bottles, get a refundTo ensure the recycling of pouches and bottles, the state government will levy a refundable charge on them. It is said that the state government will charge an additional Re 1 on PET plastic bottles and 50 paise on milk pouch, which will be refunded when the consumer returns the pouch/bottle. Centres for returning the items will be opened at government offices and municipal wards.
Violation of the actAs per to the ban, after March 18, the usage of plastic bags and single-use disposable products can attract up to three months of jail term and/or a penalty of Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000.