Now Maharashtra bans plastic carry bags, thermocol cutlery

Mumbai: The Maharashtra has become the eighteenth state in the country to ban plastic carry bags and cutlery made of thermocol. 

“Maharashtra produces 1100 tonnes of waste everyday. Today there is tonnes of waste in the state. This is a major cause behind diseases, sometimes life threatening diseases. Plastic is banned in 17 states across India, we are the 18th state,” said State Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam. 

“Thermocol used for decoration also stands banned. I would like to urge the plastic manufacturers to produce cotton bags. Recycling of milk pouches and PET bottles will be done,” added  Ramdas Kadam

People will now have to pay an additional 50 paise and R1 on each packet of milk and pet bottles respectively.

“Customers will have to pay 50 paise extra on every milk pouch and Re 1 for PET bottle,” said Kadam. 

"The government will be implementing the ban from the date of issues of notification, but has given traders, manufacturers and even consumers a time period of one month to dispose of the banned items in their possession," according to a government note.

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