Plastic industry seeks extension

Plastic industry seeks extension

Pune: The Plastic Task Force Committee, experts and representatives of the plastic industry recently met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam requesting extension of the June 23 deadline for plastic ban enforcement, as the alternatives to plastic have not been identified. The Ministry has not yet announced extension of the deadline. The State government is likely to declare its decision early next week. 

Varun Sandhi, Chief Coordinator of CM’s Plastic Task Force Committee told Sakal Times, “Experts and people from the plastic industry have recommended alternatives to plastic, but the Ministry has not finalised it yet. No decision has been taken by the Ministry on extension of the June 23 deadline yet. The Ministry will decide by early next week.”

Sameer Joshi, member of Plastic Task Force Committee said, “Several decisions were made during the meeting for industrial packing, goods packing, food packing, non-woven bags,  repacking of products, paving way for the continuation of usage with EPR responsibility, marking responsibility and subject to recyclability.  Buyback on PET bottles to be applicable. The new draft notification on whether the plastic ban deadline of plastic ban will be extended or not will be out.  

“In effect, the ban on these items will not be applicable from June 23. It’s time for the industry to embrace changes and move forward with responsibility.”

Akhilesh Bhargav, another committee member said, “After the plastic ban deadline is announced by the State government, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will have to strictly implement it. People will be fined for using the banned plastic items.”

Points finalised at the meeting
 PET manufacturers to set up buyback and recycling mechanism. Retailers are required to buy back pet bottles to extent of bottles sold by them. 
 Apparels/garments packed at manufacturing stage will be exempted 
 The plastic used for preserving and enhancing the shelf life of food products exempted
 Plastic carry bags completely banned 
 Important: All above are subject to recycling and buyback mechanisms and above 50-micron thickness.

Plastic reuse on roads
 Varun Sandhi, Chief Coordinator of CM’s Plastic Task Force Committee said the circular issued to Public Works Department (PWD) in 2016 to use plastic waste in road construction has been reissued as a reminder to PWD. The State government has made it mandatory to implement it. Principal Secretary Pravin Pardeshi has directed the road authorities to immediately initiate it. 
 All the recyclers will be registered with the State Government
 The State Government will also keep a check on total plastic waste generated 

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