Say "YES" to Plastic Bags…!!!

In gloom, we often speak of light at the end of the tunnel. No phase today more aptly describes a world seemingly emerging from the worst recession since the great depression. Only yesterday, we braced for a frightening replay of the 1930s busts and bread queues. How could we not with the experts telling us that we had no idea how bad it was? One celebrity economist even famously warned that we were standing at the edges of the abyss.

In this regard, Industry is taking several initiatives where a proposal is made to be part and parcel with the Local Bodies, NGOs', Media, General Public and all users of plastics, to sort out the issue. This yielded results and it was summarized that:

1. Local Bodies would strictly enforce minimum thickness (50 micron) and size criteria for plastic bags. Industry is supporting this.



2. Ward officers have been authorized and empowered to implement this.



3. Authorities who carry the impression that bags below 50 micron can not be recycled be corrected and right information be imparted.



4. Local Bodies would consider canceling licenses under shops and establishment acts of Dealers, Retailers selling bags below the specified size and thickness.



5. City limit check posts would be instructed to detain any consignment of plastic bags which does not meet the specifications. .



6. Industry offered to work with Local Bodies and participate in addressing the broader issue of Solid Waste Management..



7. It was suggested that a "Mayor's Task Force" be constituted to deliberate and suggest ways and means of addressing plastic waste in Local areas. The task force should have representation from Local Corporation and, ICPE, NGOs and Plastic Industry.



8. Need for a major anti-littering and awareness campaign (print, electronic and movies theaters) was well articulated.



9. Provide a collection bin, placed in a visible area, easily accessible to the consumer, and clearly marked that the collection bin is available for the purpose of collecting and recycling plastic carryout bags.



10. All plastic bags collected by the store shall be collected, transported, and recycled in a manner that does not conflict with the City's source reduction and recycling element.



11. Offer reusable bags to customers for purchase.

The meeting concluded with a promising note and Mayor felt this would be useful and instructed the Local authorities to explore ways and means of doing this.

Recycling is one of the most important actions currently available to reduce the impacts and represents one of the most dynamic areas in the plastics industry today.

Advances in technologies and systems for the collection, sorting and reprocessing of recyclable plastics are creating new opportunities for recycling, and with the combined actions of the public, industry and governments it may be possible to divert the majority of plastic waste from landfills to recycling over the next decades.

Dr. M. B. Parmar
President