Mumbai: In the wake of plastic ban that came into effect on Saturday, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) will be imposing the condition on manufacturers to indicate the recycling price and buyback price to be prominently printed on PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles and plastic bags permissible under these regulations. The Asian Age had earlier reported that the state government is working on a mechanism for recycling plastic bottles to ensure that used products are recycled and reduce waste generation.
The environment minister, while addressing the press on Saturday, stated that the violation of Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Products (Manufacture, Usage, Sale, Transport, Handling and Storage) Notification, 2018 would lead to maximum penalty of Rs 25,000 and imprisonment of up to three years.
“The consent to establish and operate for the plastic manufacturers will be given on the basis of the undertaking given by the manufacturers that they have to print the buyback price at the products,” said a senior official from the MPCB.
As per the latest notification, the ban covers usage, transport, distribution, wholesale, retail sale, storage and import of plastic bags with handles and without handles, and the disposable products manufactured from plastic and thermocol. Items such as single-use disposable dishes, cups, plates, glasses, forks, bowls, containers, disposable dishes and bowls that are used for packaging food in hotels as well as spoons and straws are banned under the new rule.
“The buyback depository mechanism will entail that citizens can return used bottles that they purchased by giving extra one rupees, and get the extra amount refunded,” said S. Sandanshiv, scientific officer, environment cell, state government.
The ban will not be applicable to the plastic used in packaging of medicines, used for handling of solid waste or plastic material used for plant nurseries, horticulture and agriculture.
