Maharashtra Won't Tolerate Plastic Anymore. Ban, Fine & 3-Year Jail Announced For Violators.
Maharashtrian Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam on Friday told the Assembly that the ban would cover the production use storage sale distribution import and transportation of plastic. Plastic milk pouches will have to be above 50 microns and it should be recyclable at a cost not less than 50 paise.
Come Sunday, March 18 which is also "Gudi Padva", the Maharashtrian New Year the state will be plastic free!
Maharashtra Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam on Friday told the Assembly that the ban would cover the production, use, storage, sale, distribution, import and transportation of plastic.
BCCL
¡°Plastic bags, thermocol, disposable cups and plates, cutlery, non-woven polypropylene bags, plastic pouches and packaging would be banned,¡± Kadam said.
Plastic used to cover medicines, forest and horticulture products, solid waste, tree saplings and the use of plastic in special economic zones for export purposes would be exempt from the ban.
Plastic milk pouches will have to be above 50 microns and it should be recyclable, at a cost not less than 50 paise.
BCCL
The minister also said that the dairy industry must have a mechanism for the collection of used milk pouches and it would be mandatory for them to buy it back.
BCCL
Similarly, plastic water bottles also should be recycled and the retailer will refund Rs 1 to the consumer after he or she returns the bottle.
Those violating the ban would be fined Rs 25,000 and could also face a three-year jail term.
Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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