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Maha Plastic Ban: Retail Traders approach Bombay HC seeking permission to use primary packaging at retail level

Updated: Jun 22, 2018 09:03:05am
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Maha Plastic Ban: Retail Traders approach Bombay HC seeking permission to use primary packaging at retail level

Mumbai, June 22 (KNN) The Federation of Retail Traders have approached Bombay High Court seeking permission to use primary plastic packaging at the retail level in order to protect their products especially the edible ones from dust, moisture etc.

From June 23, all those found using plastic products, including single-use disposable items in Maharashtra will be penalized as three-month deadline of state government to switch to alternative ends today.

Talking to KNN India, Viren Shah, President, Federation of Retail Traders, said, “Government has allowed usage of multi-layered packaging which is highly dangerous for the environment.”

“We have approached the High Court to allow us to use primary packaging to protect our products. In primary packaging we use transparent plastics which are not hazardous to the environment. This is necessary for protecting the products especially at Kirana stores,” Shah said.

Shah said polypropylene (PP) bags need to be allowed as they are recyclable, while multi-layer plastic is non-recyclable. Even rag-pickers will not touch them and it will be thrown in manholes. There is a need to ban all less than 50 microns plastic."

The retailers, under the umbrella of the Federation have also asked if there is an alternative to plastic, which is strong and water proof.

He said it is quite strange that primary packaging at retail level for fruits, vegetables, bread, pulses, garments and other essential commodities is banned, while mineral water companies, plastic bottles and milk plastic pouches are allowed.

Primary packaging is the term used to designate the layer of packaging in immediate contact with the product; in other words, it is the first packaging layer in which the product is contained. 

Maharashtra Government had on March 23, 2018 enforced the ban after issuing the Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Products (manufacture, usage, sale, transport, handling, and storage) notification.

The government had given the manufacturers, distributors, and consumers a period of three months to dispose their existing stock and come up with alternatives to plastic usage.

The plastic industry has been expressing its concern due to extreme dependence on plastic and lack of alternatives.

The Maharashtra government had banned the manufacture, usage, sale, transport, distribution, wholesale and retail sale and storage, import of plastic bags with or without handle, and disposable products made out of plastic and thermocol.

Under the notification products manufactured from plastic and thermocol have been covered under the ban. As a result usage of plastic bags with a handle and without handle, disposable cups, and plates, spoons, forks, glasses, and containers is prohibited in the state. Plastic packaging used to wrap and store the product is also included in the ban. (KNN Bureau)

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