The job of the cell will be to:
Effectively enforce the ban on single-use plastic and come up with a campaign on the issue.
To collect and compile data regarding plastic waste generation.
To chalk out retrieval, recycling and disposal strategies.
To coordinate with various agencies to ensure phasing out of single-use plastic.
To promote the use of bio-degradable alternatives to plastic.
Task force on plastic waste
The Urban Development Department of Maharashtra has told all urban local bodies with a population of more than 10 lakhs to form a task force to enforce the ban on single-use plastic in accordance with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
Disposable plastics, such as plastic straws, bags, coffee stirrers, food packaging, and soda and water bottles, never break down completely. Instead, they degrade and become microplastics and continue to pollute the environment. More than 100 aquatic species have been found to have microplastics in them.
The task force which will comprise the municipal and police commissioners and officials from the solid-waste department, the environment, industries, law and education departments will prepare an action plan. It will estimate the amount of plastic waste generated and look at ways to collect it and recycle whatever is possible. They will also look at steps to phase out single-use plastic and look at alternatives. Creating awareness about the harm caused by single-use plastic, involving the traders’ community, citizens organisations, etc also will be its mandate.
What does the law say on plastic bags?
The Maharashtra Plastic Bag Rules 2006 bans production, transport, sale and usage of plastic bags thinner than 50 microns as well of items made from thermocol, which is non-biodegradable.
These items are to be banned
The Union environment ministry has notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, that make it mandatory for the thickness of plastic carry bags to be increased to 120 microns by the end of the year, and prohibit the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of several products with low utility but high littering potential.
The permitted thickness of the plastic bags, currently 50 microns, will be increased to 75 microns from September 30, 2021, and to 120 microns from the December 31, 2022.
The ban on products -- these include ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration; plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners of less than 100 micron thickness -- will come into force from July 1, 2022.
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