Press Release on Plastic Bag Ban from AIPMA

The news on 28th February 2006 appeared in all news papers was shocking, unexpected, and as such is completely against the interest of plastic industry. Prior to this, on 7th February 2006 there was a news item stating that below 50 microns plastic bags will be banned for which AIPMA had sent protest letter along with the industry view and adverse effects that will cause the industry if 50 microns thickness is benchmarked by the Government of Maharashtra. In fact the industry was expecting a soft decision towards the plastic industry in view of numerous representations that has been made by The All India Plastics Manufacturers' Association on behalf of the industry right from the day one after the deluge in July 2005. We met the Hon'ble Chief Minister on the 31st October 2005 and explained him the implications of banning all types of plastic bags. Also expressed our grievances that in the 4 member committee formed by the Government of Maharashtra neither comprised the industry man nor the environment experts. The first Task Force at centre under the Chairmanship of Dilip Biswas, Central Pollution Control Board in 1996/97 plastic industry was represented on the committee both the technical and the national manufacturers body. The implementation Monitoring Committee at centre, all three members were involved. When the Parliament constituted National Committee under Justice Ranganath Mishra for dealing with plastic bags waste disposal issues, there was a representative from the industry. It is shocking that such vital decision was taken by the Government without getting the industry experts involved. It was repeatedly represented before the Government that the imposing ban on all plastic bags, the Government only divert attention of public from the real cause non-implementation of Ministry of Environment and Forest's rule and inadequate collection and disposal of ever-growing quantum of garbage. Therefore this ordinance to ban plastic bags upto 50 microns by the state will have disastrous consequences without solving problem of litter and solid waste management which is the real cause & concern. The plastic industry is very much disappointed with the news that plastic bags will be banned immediately without even giving the small and tiny manufacturers or even the big set-ups to dispose all the pending stocks. Overnight banning the plastic bags will only throw the industry out of gear registering voluminous loss to general public but also to state government. Even the proposal of the Plastic Industry to printing / self embossing on every carry bags the details of the manufacture certifying the size and thickness to ensure use of 20 microns and above plastic carry bags cannot be implemented overnight. If the Government is serious to streamline use of plastic bags, the industry must be given appropriate time instead of bringing out the ordinance overnight. In past the Industry sat with the government to implement ban on use of plastic carry bags below 20 microns to provide a viable solution to overcome the littering habits of citizens and promote recycling in a sustainable way. We are sure this will positively help government to regulate the use of plastic carry bags.