Jharkhand to become plastic free, ban on polybags less than 50 micron thick

It is a welcome move taken by Jharkhand because it plans to ban polybags from the markets. It wants people of Ranchi to start carrying their own bags to the market and not depend on the shopkeepers and vegetable vendors to provide them with bags.
Ranchi Municipal Corporation has is gearing up to enforce the ban on polybags of thickness less than 50 micron which are used to pack groceries and in the poultry, fish shops as well as vegetable markets.
This is reported in telegraphindia.com dated 13 July 2017.

Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has issued a notification through a few vernacular dailies and indicated the seriousness to make the state plastic-free. According to the notice, the residents of the city must adhere to Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, which stipulate the minimum thickness of plastic carry bags as 50 microns for ease of collection and recycling.
The polybags lead to long-time soil pollution, short-time clogging of drains that in turn leads to waterlogged roads during the monsoons.


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Evils of plastic packaging and its effect on environment must be realised

In order to curb the use of plastics in our everyday lives, supermarkets in Britain could set an example by creating a plastic-free aisle in every store. That could be a positive action to eliminate tons of waste packaging finding a grave in the oceans of the world.
The magnitude of the problem can be understood from the fact that around 300 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year and, only 12 per cent of it is recyclable while the balance is washed into the seas where it is toxic to wildlife.
This has been reported in nzherald.co.nz dated 11 February 2017.

Britain's major supermarkets will be urged to allow shoppers to buy food packaged in biodegradable materials. The government has plans to charge a nominal charge for every plastic bottle which can be reclaimed when they are recycled. That is expected to cut down waste. A similar charge which had been added to plastic bags in October 2015 has seen use of such bags drop by 80 per cent.
A film 'A Plastic Ocean', which is backed by the Plastic Oceans Foundation is at present being shown at special screenings across Britain - the aim is to highlight the sheer scale of plastic pollution in the sea. As Sir David Attenborough has said - the whole of the ecosystems of the world are built on healthy oceans and if that part of the planet becomes dysfunctional and goes wrong the the whole of life on the planet will suffer."


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Jharsuguda in Odisha bans use of polythene carry bags from January 1

In order to clean up the environment and go green, Jharsuguda has imposed a ban on the use of polythene carry bags and other polythene products below 50 micron with effect from January 1 in an effort to reduce pollution.
The administration has done adequate publicity to create awareness among people about the adverse effects of the use of polythene and the ban has been imposed in the entire district. A squad would be formed to enforce the ban.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 2 January 2017.

The matter has been discussed with the merchants' association who have been told to stop using polythene carry bags that are less than 50 micron thick. The source from where the polythene carry bags are being procured would be identified and supplies stopped.
A rally had been organised on December 24 to create awareness among people and appeal them to stop using polythene carry bags. The ban will cover polythene carry bags, plastic glasses, cups and other polythene products. Fines would be slapped on those shops and business establishments who violate the ban.


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Plastic carry bags return to Bangalore despite being banned

Plastic carry bags had been banned in Bangalore in March but, it is gradually returning to Bangalore. Ever since May, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has seized more than 22 tonnes of plastics. Majority of this seizure was within the first month of the ban that was imposed in March 2016. BBMP also levied fines amounting to over Rs. 60 lakh.
However, the enforcement measures had slackened over the months and the plastic carry bags are making a comeback.
This has been reported in thehindu.com dated 28 November 2016.

Manufacturing of prohibited plastic products has reportedly come down after the ban, but the supply from neighboring States like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and from illegal units continues unabated.
Incidentally, these bags are the best option for small traders because it is easy to procure with each bag costing hardly 50 paise. Plastic carry bags have once again flooded the largest vegetable and flower markets in the city.


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