Plastic industry unhappy with Punjab's proposed ban on non-biodegradable bags
Updated: Apr 24, 2014 11:43:53am
New Delhi, Apr 24 (KNN) Unhappy with the Government of Punjab’s proposed ban on non-biodegradable carry bags and onetime use articles, the All India Plastic Industries Association (AIPIA) has appealed to the Punjab Pollution Control Board with a detailed list of objections.
Responding to the notification of February-12, “…biodegradable plastic is a myth in as much as plastic carry bags and other articles made out of bio-degradable raw material do not vanish in a trice when discarded after use and can remain un-decomposed for periods as high as more than six months,” AIPIA said in a letter to the Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board.
“In fact, they (biodegradable plastic) require suitable composting facilities for their being fully biodegraded in composed pits. No such facility to our knowledge has been created by the State of Punjab in a city’s municipal area,” it said.
Further, availability of biodegradable plastic, according to AIPIA, is limited and the cost thereof prohibitive, making the exercise a non-starter.
The industry body also pointed out that biodegradable material cannot be recycled as non-biodegradable ones, adding that it is impossible to segregate biodegradable waste from non-biodegradable waste.
“Mix ups of the two types of material would seriously harm the recycling chain of non-biodegradable material currently being done in mostly the unorganised sector which provide employment and livelihood to the lowest strata of society like rag-pickers, kabadiwalas, etc,” the letter said, urging the authorities not to promote biodegradable material until composting facilities are in place and raw material availability is adequate.
On the issue of one time use articles such as disposal plastic cups, tumblers, spoons, forks and straws, AIPIA said that such a ban should not be imposed on such economical items used by a large section of the society as a measure of convenience and economy.
If they are to be substituted, the same would have to be made out of steel, glass, ceramic which consume high levels of energy and water while contributing to water and air pollution, it said. However production of the same with polymer/polyurethane saves energy, water and prevents pollution.
Citing various other reasons with technical papers to support their arguments, AIPIA has asked the pollution authority to scientifically study all aspects, carry out a life cycle analysis of the substitutes and assess the long term impact on environment in respect of energy consumption, water usage and air pollution. (KNN/ES)
Responding to the notification of February-12, “…biodegradable plastic is a myth in as much as plastic carry bags and other articles made out of bio-degradable raw material do not vanish in a trice when discarded after use and can remain un-decomposed for periods as high as more than six months,” AIPIA said in a letter to the Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board.
“In fact, they (biodegradable plastic) require suitable composting facilities for their being fully biodegraded in composed pits. No such facility to our knowledge has been created by the State of Punjab in a city’s municipal area,” it said.
Further, availability of biodegradable plastic, according to AIPIA, is limited and the cost thereof prohibitive, making the exercise a non-starter.
The industry body also pointed out that biodegradable material cannot be recycled as non-biodegradable ones, adding that it is impossible to segregate biodegradable waste from non-biodegradable waste.
“Mix ups of the two types of material would seriously harm the recycling chain of non-biodegradable material currently being done in mostly the unorganised sector which provide employment and livelihood to the lowest strata of society like rag-pickers, kabadiwalas, etc,” the letter said, urging the authorities not to promote biodegradable material until composting facilities are in place and raw material availability is adequate.
On the issue of one time use articles such as disposal plastic cups, tumblers, spoons, forks and straws, AIPIA said that such a ban should not be imposed on such economical items used by a large section of the society as a measure of convenience and economy.
If they are to be substituted, the same would have to be made out of steel, glass, ceramic which consume high levels of energy and water while contributing to water and air pollution, it said. However production of the same with polymer/polyurethane saves energy, water and prevents pollution.
Citing various other reasons with technical papers to support their arguments, AIPIA has asked the pollution authority to scientifically study all aspects, carry out a life cycle analysis of the substitutes and assess the long term impact on environment in respect of energy consumption, water usage and air pollution. (KNN/ES)
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