MAHARASHTRA, INDIA, June 23: The Maharashtra government on Saturday enforced its ban on single-use plastic items. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has deployed 250 inspectors to penalise violators. The corporation has installed 37 collection bins at various municipal markets to collect plastic trash.
Those found carrying plastic will have to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 for the first offence, Rs 10,000 for the second, and up to Rs 25,000 and a three-month jail term for repeated violations. Those who are unable or unwilling to pay the fine will have to face court proceedings.
The Bleak Legal Regime Addressing Plastic Pollution
In March, the Maharashtra government had announced a ban on single-use plastic items. The government had given manufacturers, distributors, and consumers three months to dispose their stock. The state has also formed an association comprising stakeholders including plastic manufacturers, ministry officials and environmental experts to ensure that the ban is implemented effectively.
Items covered under the ban
The state government has banned the use, manufacture, transport, wholesale and retail sale and storage, import of plastic bags, and disposable products made out of plastic and thermocol. Disposable cups, glasses, plates, spoons, forks and containers are prohibited. The ban also includes plastic packaging used to wrap and store the product.
The ban, however, excludes, plastic for packaging medicines, food grade virgin plastic used to package milk, plastic bags used to export goods, among other items, reported The Indian Express.
