Plastic used for packaging certain foods may be exempt from ban

Mumbai: The state government is likely to exempt from the ban, plastic used for packaging food items that need to be preserved for a longer time. The move has been prompted by objections against the ban, citing lack of viable alternatives. The state may also include takeaway food containers, glasses, and plastic used for lamination of meat products in the list of exempt items.

Sanjay Sandanshiv, undersecretary, environment department, Maharashtra government, said, “We are facing questions about alternatives to plastic in the state. It has been brought to our notice that there are certain items that need plastic for packaging i.e. liquid food items and staples. We are regularly holding meetings to decide if some of the items need to be exempt from the ban. Also, we may exempt from the ban thick plastic which can be recycled.”

In a bid to implement the plastic ban more effectively, the state government had formed various committees including the implementation committee and expert committee to plan the ban properly. A senior official from the environment department said, “The expert committee also includes experts from plastic manufacturing companies. Apart from this, we are also holding meetings with several stakeholders.”