Mantralaya, govt bldgs ban plastic in green drive

Mumbai: As part of the initiative to make Maharashtra plastic-free, the state government has decided to start with the state administrative headquarters itself. Environment minister Ramdas Kadam chaired a meeting in Mantralaya on Thursday in this regard, where it was decided that to begin with, use of plastic would be banned from Mantralaya and all other government establishments. Mantralaya uses plastic drinking water bottles and polythene milk bags but the practice will be stopped, informed Mr Kadam after the meeting. The state government has decided to ban plastic completely, beginning Gudi Padva of 2018.

Mr Kadam said that there will be a 100 per cent ban on all types of plastic, including plastic wrappers, sachets, plastic cups and glasses. The ban will extend to thermocol cups and dishes as well. An alternative to plastic bags will be decided soon but before that, an awareness drive will be conducted by local bodies with the help of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. Local bodies will create awareness among citizens about using cloth bags instead of plastic bags. Cloth bags will be procured from women’s self-help groups.

Mr Kadam said, “We have invited proposals from various organisations suggesting alternatives to plastic bags. There is also a proposal of giving subsidies to women’s self-help groups and getting them to supply cloth bags.” The ban will be imposed in a phased manner in the state. In future, more alternatives to plastic will be explored. The issue of plastic waste and subsequently, the ban, has been in the news since July 2005. The deluge in the city at that time created awareness about these issues. Ever since, there have been several occasions where these issues have gained traction. This time however, the state government has decided to be firm and put a carpet ban on the plastic.