Despite ban, garbage bin liners being illegally sold

Despite ban, garbage bin liners being illegally sold

Pune: Despite the plastic ban in the State from June 23, some people are selling banned garbage bin liners at traffic signals in the city. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) claims it is not aware of it, though they will take action if they trace the persons. 

P Anbalagan, Member Secretary of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) told Sakal Times that the garbage bin liners are strictly banned by the State government in the government resolution (GR) on plastic ban and it is mentioned that compostable bags are alternative to these garbage bin liners. He said, “Compostable bags are readily available in the market. But because of their high cost people fear purchasing them. Also the civic body should keep a close watch on the illegal sale of banned plastic items.”

“I am in talks with producers of compostable bags to cut the high rates of these bags. Once the rates of the compostable bags are reduced then people will automatically switch over to compostable bags instead of buying the banned plastic garbage bin liners,”  Anbalagan said.

Suresh Jagtap, Head of Solid Waste Management of the PMC said, “We are unaware of the garbage bin liners which are banned in the market openly. We will make a note of it and surely take action against it.”
Varun Sanghvi, co-ordinator of Chief Minister’s Plastic Task Force said, “There is a misconception among people that biodegradable and compostable bags will be allowed for usage and sale. But this is not the case, only compostable bags are allowed as they become compost within some days.”

“The State government is continuously promoting the use of compostable bags and not the biodegradable bags. But the real challenge will be of implementing it,” Sanghvi added.

Neemit Punamiya, another member of the plastic task force, said, “There are several things which are banned by the State government, but still the sale and use of it continues and garbage bin liners is one such example. Unless  prices of the alternatives are reduced, people will keep using things which are cheap and readily available.”  

Enjoyed reading The Bridge Chronicle?
Your support motivates us to do better. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay updated with the latest stories.
You can also read on the go with our Android and iOS mobile app.

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
The Bridge Chronicle
www.thebridgechronicle.com