Maharashtra Plastic Ban: BMC To Set Up 20 Collection Centers For Banned Plastic Items

New Delhi: One week after, Maharashtra Plastic Ban Notification, that banned the use, storage, sale, distribution and transportation of select plastic items, in the state, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announces its plan of action for implementing the plastic ban effectively. As a first step, the civic body will create 20 collection points in popular marketplaces where the footfall is high and where the usage of banned plastic items such as bags, plastic cutlery, thermocol and decoration items is more. From the collection centers, the plastic items will be sent to recycling units for the effective plastic waste management and the plan of BMC is to increase the number of collection points in the coming days. Speaking to NDTV, Nidhi Chaudhari, Head Anti-Encroachment Department of BMC said,

This is the first step we have taken to implement the ban in the city effectively. By forming these centers we are asking consumers to give us the banned plastic items which are there in their house/shops and spread the message of the ban. In one months’ time we will also form ‘plastic ban squads’ that will help us catch hold the violators of the law and levy penalties as per the notification which is Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000 for first and second time offence. Rs. 25,000 for a third-time offender.

Also Read: Plastic Ban In Maharashtra: Five Things You Should Know

Furthermore, self-help groups in the city have been allotted spaces by the BMC to sell cloth and paper bags to consumers in these markets. In addition, BMC is also preparing a list of alternatives like jute and paper bag manufacturers and small-scale industries in the city that will be uploaded on the BMC official website with their contact details so that consumers can call them directly if necessary.

We are sure in one months’ time we will be able to come up with a full-fledged approach on how to tackle and handle the plastic ban in the city effectively, added Nidhi Chaudhari.

Asking people to corporate with the plastic ban in the city, Yuva Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray added,

The ban on single use disposable plastic has to be a two way movement. It is a focussed ban on the problem that lies most in our drains and oceans. Citizen participation is key along with establishment and government.

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The ban on single use disposable plastic has to be a two way movement. It is a focussed ban on the problem that lies most in our drains and oceans. Citizen participation is key along with establishment and govt @UNEnvironment

— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) March 28, 2018

Aaditya Thackeray also appreciated the steps being taken to implement the plastic ban effectively by various food chains and stores on his Twitter.

Here’s what he said:

Discarding the single use plastic straws and moving towards alternatives! Well done @McDonaldsUK ! @McDonalds I hope we are getting this in India too. @mcdonaldsindia we have banned plastic straws in Maharashtra! @UNEnvironment https://t.co/oIPhVnGbW2

— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) March 29, 2018

Thank you @RelianceFreshIN for this move! Well done ???????? https://t.co/aH7gZljPL6

— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) March 27, 2018

Maharashtra has become the 18th state in the country to ban plastic. The Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Products (Manufacture, Usage, Sale, Transport, Handling and Storage) Notification, 2018 was issued on March 23.