6 Points About Plastic Ban In Maharashtra

Plastic ban in Maharashtra order passed On March 23, 2018, in a bid to fight against plastic pollution the State Government imposed a ban on plastic. Since then, single-use plastic products have been banned from use in Maharashtra, a welcome move for all.

This move was much needed due to the increasing misuse of plastic products in the country. Maharashtra’s anti-plastic policy is the right example for all the other states to follow. The authorities have specified the exact ‘Do’s and Dont’s’ to implement the ban on single-use plastic products.

The list of banned and non-banned items is specified below for you all to have a look.

Banned Items

Here is the list of the items that are banned with the plastic ban in Maharashtra

• Bags
• Spoons
• Plates
• and a variety of other single-use plastic items

These are now banned from manufacturing, sale, distribution, use, and storage.

This also includes thermocol, plastic cutlery, food containers, PETE bottles, and other packaging material.

Non-Banned Items

The items that are not banned during in plastic ban in Maharastra order include the following.

• The plastic used for packaging medicine/drugs, milk, and even for agricultural purposes.
• Plastic bags utilized for exporting goods
• The plastic material used at the manufacturing stage or for handling the solid waste.

P.S. Ramdas Kadam, the environmental minister on 25th June allowed the use of thermocol for only decoration and fish storage.

Strict Penalties Imposed

The plastic ban in Maharashtra is being implemented in the entire state with the help of BMC, MPCB (Maharashtra Pollution Control Board), and the Mumbai police. These are the key players ensuring that the corporates, manufacturers, and even citizens adhere to the ban.

Efforts are being made to successfully implement the plastic ban in Maharashtra. There are severe penalties being imposed as illustrated below:

• A fine of ₹ 5000 for the first-time offender
• The second-time offender will be fined with ₹ 10,000
• And subsequently, if someone violates it for the third time, then he/she will face imprisonment of 3-months with a fine of up to ₹ 25,000.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is conducting special inspections around the area since 23 June, the day the plastic ban in Mumbai was imposed. The collective effort must be praised by all of us and followed as well.

The Right Move

12 years after the “Maharashtra prevention of non-biodegradable garbage act 2006,” finally the government took steps against the use of single-use plastic. It is not only hazardous to the environment but the Microplastic toxins are even entering our bodies. This is a necessary evil that needs immediate attention.

Microplastic is not visible to the naked eye so it seems very problematic for all. One cannot detect it inside their food and they are consuming it unknowingly. So, the ban on plastic products may help curb the pollution fast spreading. A right move by the Maharashtra Government.

How To Cope With The Plastic Ban In Maharastra?

Understanding the alternative options available can make a world of difference in coping with the plastic ban. For instance:

• Carrying reusable shopping bags with you when ever you go out to shop
• Carrying your own resuable water bottles
• Your own coffee mug
• Carrying resuable drinking straws to the restraunts.

You can also check the list of other eco-friendly products to use in your daily routine here.

Reduce, reuse and recycle; this is the best way to fight against plastic pollution. Practices related to using substituting materials will always help as long as they do not degrade the environment.

“Some of the alternatives to plastic can be more harmful to the environment. An amendment to the current ban should be that the producers’ responsibility for the correct disposal of the materials be extended until the process is completed, and not only until the material is sold.” This is what the director of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) said.

These are a few of the many alternatives that one can use to avoid single-use plastic. Also, the plastic ban in Maharashtra is now being implemented across the state and if successful we will certainly see a single-use plastic ban in India in the immediate future.

E-Commerce Giants Get An Extension From Plastic Ban In Maharashtra

While small businesses are being readily affected due to the ban imposed on plastic, E-Commerce giants like Flipkart and Amazon have an extension to change their packaging from plastic to recyclable cardboard boxes.

To comply with the plastic ban in Maharashtra, the state Government allowed an extension of up to 3 months. Also, the exemption of thermocol by Ramdas Kadam as said earlier puts the plastic ban implementation in danger. Repeated exempts like these may dilute the plastic ban in Maharashtra and make it useless.

Although, most states in India have imposed some form of ban on plastic bags the implementation isn’t great. Environmentalists fear that the ban will not be successful due to the huge economic value of the plastic industry.

Only if you the citizens, corporates, and the entire community make a collective effort, only then will this ban be effective.

Share your thoughts on the plastic ban in Maharashtra.