Policy to encourage recycling in pipeline

Mumbai: With the announcement of the plastic ban policy, the state government is confident that the ban will be effective this time as compared to failed previous attempts. The state is making sure that plastic bottles and milk pouches too do not end up in dumping grounds. As per the officials from environment department, it is working on a mechanism for depositing used plastic bottles in various institutions.

A senior official from the environment cell stated that the state is suggesting that shopkeepers charge an additional Rs 1 on PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, which could be later be refunded.  

“The shopkeepers could charge an extra Rs 1 to the buyer for a packaged drinking water bottle and when the buyer goes to buy another bottle, they could return the used bottle and do not have to pay the additional Rs 1. We are currently analysing the recycling mechanism,” said S. Sandanshiv, scientific officer, state environment cell.

“It is the duty of the manufacturers to pick up the collected used water bottles from the shop,” said a senior official from the environment department.

Not only local municipal corporations, but also other authorities like the police department, environment department, and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, among others, can make decisions of imposing penalties on violators.

 “Even NGOs and citizens can complain to any of these authorities or send us pictures if they see any market or shops using plastic bags,” said Mr Sandanshiv.