The Maharashtra government all over the state had imposed a ban on plastic. Sale, use, manufacturing, storage and distribution of all plastic material will be punishable offence from today in Maharashtra.
Authorities said they will fine the offenders up to Rs 25,000 as penalty for not following the plastic ban. It could also lend to a 3-month jail term for high offence.
Nation largest Municipal Corporation Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will levy fine of Rs 5,000 for first offence, Rs 10,000 for second and Rs 25,000 for every subsequent violation. BMC will educate residents of Mumbai for two days and will start fining them from Monday.
The Maharashtra government on March 23 issued a notification imposing a ban on sale, use, manufacturing, storage and distribution of all plastic materials, including one-time use bags, spoons, plates, PET and PETE bottles and thermocol items.
Items included in ban
- Plastic sheets to wrap or store products and plastic pouches to store liquid
- All kinds of plastic bags (with and without handle), garbage bags
- PET bottles (containing soft drinks, mineral water etc) and with a carrying capacity of less than 500 ml
- All one-time use disposable items made up of plastic and thermocol, such as cutlery, plates and bowls.
- Non-woven polypropylene bags (a cross between paper and cloth bag)
- Disposable plastic containers used for takeaway
Items exempted from the ban
- Compostable plastic material used for nurseries, horticulture and agriculture
- Milk bags and plastic bottles used in packaged water industry. Milk bags and bottles will have to be recycled by collecting them back. Or else, customers have to pay a nominal recycling fee to shopkeeper
- Plastic cover/ plastic material used at the manufacturing stage
- Plastic used for medicines, solid waste management and agricultural products
