Maharashtra government in a fix over plastic collection system

The manufacturers have rejected the state environment department’s proposal of plastic waste collection system, saying they are not practical

Even as the plastic ban implementation is a few days away, the state government is yet to come up with a mechanism to collect and recycle plastic waste.

The implementation of plastic ban across the state will start from June 23, after which the offenders will be fined. (HT FILE)

The manufacturers have rejected the state environment department’s proposal of plastic waste collection system, saying they are not practical.

The government has allowed them to deploy vehicles at public and tourist places for collecting plastic waste, which will be taken for recycling.

The buyback mechanism declared by the state government will also need to be tweaked as, according to the manufacturers, ₹2 a bottle is higher than the production cost of each bottle.

The implementation of plastic ban across the state will start from June 23, after which the offenders will be fined.

The government has directed manufacturers, producers, sellers and traders to set up collection centres, reverse vending machines, crushing machines with linkages established with recycling units to collect and recycle waste bottles.

They were also asked to put in place a depository buyback scheme under which consumers will have to pay ₹2 more while buying a mineral water bottle or soft drink of less than a litre and ₹1 for a litre and above.

“Manufacturers have raised practical issues over this,” said Anil Diggikar, principal secretary, state environment department.

“We have asked them to come up with a solution on the buyback mechanism by July 11 which is the deadline for implementing the scheme as per the notification issued on April 11 ,” he further said.