Amdavadis, stop using plastic, or pay for it

The central government in March this year rolled out a notification stating the new plastic waste management rules and scrapping the ones made five years back. The center also gave a bracket period of six months where new rules had to be implemented by states. Following the footsteps of central government notification, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has made registration of shopkeepers and vendors using plastic bags compulsory.According to the new rule, shops dispensing plastic bags will now have to pay a one-time fee of ` 48,000 over and above a monthly fee.
As a complete ban on plastic is not possible, charging fees for dispensing plastic waste is necessary. “It is in the initial phase, not many would agree to pay such huge amount, especially small retailers. The method of registering is as important as any other government document where the applicant pays a fixed fee to get the document done, similarly retail shops will have to pay a fixed amount every month over and above a one-time fee of ` 48,000 to ensure sustainable environment,” says Bhavin Solanki, an AMC official. In the first phase, the focus will be on big malls and stores. They will have to register themselves at AMC by paying a one-time fee. “In the second phase we will look into small retail shops,” adds Solanki.
It is not just consumers who are solely responsible for consumption of these plastic bags, but manufacturers and shop owners are using them too. In the notification by the center permission was given to local civic bodies and gram panchayats to make their own rules and implement, to make sure the plastic waste management was done properly. “When we go to malls and mega stores, we pay for plastic bags. I personally reuse the bags that I get. I doubt the accountability of shop owners. They charge a lot more for one bag, in a way they would now be answerable to consumers,” says Heena Desai, a homemaker.
Under the new law, not just individuals, but groups too, are accountable. Like political parties after rally waste, religious groups after a gathering, waste at marriage functions and other social gatherings too, will be put under scanner. The new rule also states that the plastic bags be updated from 40 to 50 microns. The thicker the bag, the easier it is to dispose the waste. “The fundamental question emerges here. When you pay `5-6 for a plastic bag, why not replace it with paper or jute bag? This kind of fine would help change the behavior of retailers and consumers. I know a group of ladies from Rajasthan who make paper bags of various size and sell it to shop keepers. We can inspire people to do the same here,” says Ruchir Shah, Project head, CEE.
Under the new law, plastic bags will be available only with registered vendors. “I think the best way to the usage of plastic is by putting a complete ban on it. No amount of taxing or fining will help. The only alternative is when the government makes use of paper bags or cloth bags compulsory,” says Malhar Thakar, Actor.
“I think it is too huge a sum to be paid. I don’t even charge for the bags my customers ask for. In such a case it will be a burden to shop owners like us. Considering the fact that food items can’t be packed in non-plastic bags, we will have to worry about what next can be done,” says a shop owner who owns a sweet shop in Vastrapur. However, one hopes, these new stringent laws would help our environment and enable individuals evolve as responsible citizens.
Points to remember
Bags below 50 microns won’t be manufactured as thinner bags are non-disposable.
The notification received from central government states that waste plastic should be used in construction of roads, waste to oil, waste to energy and others.
Plastic bags segregation after any gathering will be compulsory.
The amount gathered after collecting the fees will be used by the local civic body for systematic solid waste disposal.