Mumbai uses more plastic than Bangalore, Kerala: Survey

Mumbai: A recent study by the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) has revealed that Mumbai consumes more plastic than Bangalore and Kerala. However, citing an example of the work in Cuffee Parade wherein an independent NGO collected plastic with the help of rag pickers, the institute highlighted the need for the government and the local municipal corporation to implement rules in order to educate people about reusing plastic. Rajani Rashmi, special secretary of ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) in a conference held by the institute said that the central government has planned to come up with a study that will be conducted in twenty cities in the country, including Mumbai.

Sixty per cent of plastic is being recycled at the producer-level, but there is an issue at the end of bulk consumers those who hold secondary responsibility in the value chain. A need for every house in co-operative society to start collecting recyclable and non-recyclable waste and not mix them was highlighted.

IIP also said that rag-pickers collect PET bottle cans because they have a resale value. Carry-bags weigh less hence these are not collected.

“The objective of the conference is to make people aware that banning is not the solution, instead technically think of what we can do, as there is no alternate,” said Dr. N.C Saha, Director, IIP.

“The role of plastics in packaging is very important in packaging materials. We have to take measure that we use plastic in environmentally sustainable manner,” said Mr. Rashmi.