plastic ban

The ban on plastic will come into effect from today across the state of Maharashtra.
The state government, in a notification on March 23, had clamped down on the use of plastic in a bid to fight pollution caused due to its extensive use.

#​Banned_Items
The notification banned manufacturing, use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic materials such as bags, spoons, plates and other disposable items.

The ban also includes packaging material and thermocol.

#Not_Banned :
Plastic used for packaging medicines and drugs.

Food grade virgin plastic used for packaging milk.

Compostable packaging bags used for horticulture and agriculture purposes.

Plastic bags used for exporting goods.

Plastic used at the manufacturing stage.

Plastic used for handling of solid waste.

#Penalty
For first time offenders the fine will be Rs 5,000. For second time offenders, the fine will be Rs 10,000. Those who violate it for the third time will face a fine of Rs 25,000 along with imprisonment of three months.

The government has given an extension of three months to retail packaging companies for submitting their recycling plans.
The government had given a three-month window to get rid of the existing stock.

#Exemption_for_Thermocol :The use of thermocol for decoration during the Ganesh festival may be permitted if the Mandals give an undertaking that the waste will later be handed over to Municipal Corporation for proper disposal.

The empowered committee which is dealing with the ban will take a decision in this regard.