Write the views and counterview on the ban on plastic n thermacol will successful in true sense
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Global initiatives like Earth Day, Environment Day and Oceans Day, among others, are all focusing on action against plastic pollution in 2018. The specific issue of plastic waste has perhaps never had so much international focus and India has asserted its role in the global efforts. India, infact, is the global host of June’s World Environment Day which urges nations to “beat plastic pollution”.
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“All retailers associations need to be given a clear document of what the ban specifies – what is banned and what is exempted. Currently there is confusion about materials such as non-woven as retailers seem to think it is a cloth fabric,” said the analysis by the collective of eight Pune-based NGOs.
To address this need, Mumbai’s municipal corporation recently set up a helpline number (1800-222-357) for consumers seeking information about banned plastics and appropriate disposal within Mumbai. There are also discussions to rope in Bollywood celebrities to lead the campaign spreading awareness about the ban.
The Mumbai municipal corporation has installed collection bins for banned plastic which are to be sent for scientific recycling.
While the notification does not state any further exit strategy from the plastic manufacturing or selling business, there is an indication that the state government is looking at encouraging plastic alternatives, especially alternatives to plastic bags.
Prior to ban announcement, Environment Minister Kadam met with entrepreneurs who make plastic bags and appealed to them to start making cloth bags. In the meeting he also brought up the option of making paper bags. Additionally, an amount of five crores has been set aside by the government to support women self-help groups making cloth bags. Mumbai’s municipal corporation has also put out a notice calling for participants for a three-day exhibition on alternatives to plastic to be held in May.
The expected outcome following the plastic ban is that cloth bag and paper bag manufacturers will see a boom in business. However, entrepreneurs currently involved in cloth and paper bag manufacturing have seen a minor in business but a huge increase in inquiries.
Both eCoexist and EcoAd, involved in cloth and paper bags respectively, handmade by economically disadvantaged women, feel that the ban has got people aware and enquiring about alternatives but many are not yet ready to make the switch. “Cloth and plastic bags are like apples and oranges – you can’t make a direct comparison. Cost-wise, cloth bags are more expensive (an average of Rs. 30 to 40 per handmade cotton bag) than plastic bags and that’s what’s holding people back from making a switch. They want a direct replacement,” said Gutman of eCoexist.