Maharashtra becomes 18th state to ban plastic, effective from Saturday

Maharashtra state government has imposed a complete ban on plastic across the state becoming the 18th state of the country to impose such ban.

Effective from today, the ban has been put on storage, manufacture, use,  distribution, wholesale and retail sale import and transportation of all kinds of plastic bags.

Use of thermocol and disposable cutlery including straws, pouches to store food items and liquid items are also banned.

The government has given one month to traders, manufacturers and consumers to dispose of the banned plastic items.

Local administrations of the state have also been asked to start a collection point to accept the banned item from consumers only while manufacturers and traders will have to look for recycling facilities.

The proposal of the ban was cleared by Maharashtra cabinet on March 15.

In case of violation, the manufactures and users will have to pay fine of 5,000 rupees.

Plastic products that have been exempted from the ban are milk pouches, wrappers for processed food, dustbin liners, medicines packs, solid waste and agricultural products and PET bottles.

However, the PET bottles and milk pouches will be sold on an additional price of 1-2 rupees which will be refunded to the consumer after the return the retailer for recycling. 

Dairies have also been instructed to make an attempt to sell milk in glass bottles.