Indian Express 08.01.2010
BMC sets eyes on thin plastic, thermocol too
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) wants to prohibit use of thermocols, metallic plastic and plastic used for packaging grocery products, along with the ongoing ban on plastic below 50 microns thickness.
The civic body is set to pass a resolution seeking an amendment to the Maharashtra Non-Biodegradable Material Control Act 2006 to include these forms of plastics and thermocols.
Taking forward the agenda set by Mayor Shraddha Jadhav, Shiv Sena leader in the BMC Sunil Prabhu has tabled a notice of motion in the general body, asking for a ban on plastic bags. The demand will be debated in the council on Friday. “It is necessary to amend the Act and widen the ban on plastic to prevent recurrence of the 2005 deluge,” he said.
He said there was also a need to do away with the thin plastic used for packaging grocery products, thermocol and metallic plastic as they are non-biodegradable and clog nullahs during monsoon.
Following approval from all the corporators, the proposal will be forwarded to the government. “The state should act quickly on the proposal and ensure effective implementation,” he said.
Prabhu also demanded that the environment department of the BMC should submit quarterly reports about the implementation of the ban to the Mayor.
The state had introduced the Act in 2006 in the wake of the 2005 Mumbai floods when plastic bags were found to have clogged drains and aggravated the deluge.
