Now, move to curb FMCG plastic waste

Mumbai: Barely days since the implementation of the plastic ban by the government, and the move to curb plastic waste from fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) is already on the table.

The state government has decided to extend to manufacturers, the responsibility of disposing plastic waste generated from daily use products such as branded snacks, and shampoo and soap packets. An official from the state government said that consumer goods’ manufacturers will be given three months’ time to put in place a mechanism to collect and deposit used plastic packets at collection centres.

A senior official from the environment department said, “The plastic from multi-layered packaging is usually collected by rag-pickers and later deposited at collection centres. However, the amount of plastic generated is huge.”

Under the extended producers’ responsibility, these manufacturers will have to ensure that discarded plastic is effectively picked up by rag-pickers, including paying them  extra.  

“Rag-pickers are usually paid Rs 6 per kg to sell multi-layered packs. We have asked companies to pay rag-pickers a minimum of Rs 12 to Rs 13 per kg. If firms fail to collect plastic, we will ban plastic for multi-layered packaging items, too,” he said.  

According to officials, after the ban on plastic bags, the state government is focusing on plastic waste generated from FMCGs and e-commerce products.