Propelling ‘plastic ban’, Maha Govt urge manufacturing units to collect and recycle plastic water bottles

Mumbai, November 23: Remember Maharashtra government announced regarding the ban over plastic water bottles which will be implemented from March 2018? To propel this initiative ahead, the state government has asked the manufacturing units to collect and recycle the plastic bottles from the markets.

 

Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam and Industries Minister Subhash Desai held a meeting with the officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the representatives from the plastic water bottles industry.

“The government’s decision of banning plastic water bottles in government offices and starred hotels will be implemented in the next three months. Officials will go on a study tour and will submit a report on it. The study will suggest ways to maintain the environmental balance and find alternatives to the plastic with no effect on the industry,” said Minister Kadam.

Kadam also suggested that the collection of plastic water bottles and its reuse by the manufacturing companies will lead to the reduction in the production of the new plastic water bottles. Industries should come up with the solutions to recycle plastic water bottles and should take initiative in creating awareness.

“We clearly told the industry representatives that it is their extended responsibility to collect and recycle the plastic bottles under the plastic waste management rules. We have asked them to have proper mechanism through organised channel for collection of plastic and not rely only on rag-pickers for it.

Earlier in 2005, the government had imposed ban on plastic bags less than 50 microns thick after 2005 deluge that claimed several lives in Mumbai and its suburbs. Also further the state government may ban the sale of milk packaged in polythene bags, asking dairies and manufacturers to shift to glass bottles or sell milk loose.