By admin on Sat, 11/14/2009 - 23:36

There is a notification by Government of India to ban many plastic laminates which looks like that a decision without really thinking about solutions. unfortunately there is hardly any reaction seen by the media in India or by packaging suppliers. Only few companies like GSK, Reliance, Dabur India have reacked, may be there are more but not known to us. Here is the summary of proposed notification and we look forward to your comments on this.

This is the notification given by Ministry Of Environment and Forests Dated-17,Sep 2009. Draft contains the rules for plastic (Manufacturer,Usage And Waste Management). This notification mainly covers the draft rules for monolayer bags/pouches, multilayer laminates and plastic containers. The main rule (Rule 5) in the Notification is: -                           A. Carry bags and conatiners made of virgin plastic shall be in natural shade                                                                   

 B. No person shall use bags or containers made of recycled plastics or biodegradable plastic for storing, carrying, dispensing or packaging of food stuffs                                                                                                                                   

C. Carry bags and containers made of recycled or biodegradable plastics and used for purpose of other than storing and packaging foodstuffs shall be manufactured using pigments and colorants as per the Bureau of Indian Standards specifications:IS 9833:1981 entitled "List of pigments and colourants for use in plastics in contact with foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and drinking water".                                                                                                                                       

D. No person shall manufacture, stock, distribute or sell carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastics or bio-degradable plastics, which are less than 12x18 inches (30x45 cms) in size and less than 40 microns in thickness.                               

E. No person shall manufacture carry bags or containers or pouches multilayered packaging from biodegradable plastics unless these meet the Bureau of Indian Standards specifications:IS/ISO 17088:2008 entitled "Specifications for compostable plastics".                                                                                                                                                             

F. No person shall manufacture, stock, distribute or sell non-recyclable laminated plastic or metallic pouches, multilayered packaging's and other non-recyclable plastics. Please find the below link of the complete draft notification from the ministry.

http://www.packagingconnections.com/downloads/MoEF_English.pdf

This concern has also been posted by Mr Amninder Singh : Associate Research & Technology at www.packagingconnections.com at P-Exchnage, you can visit P-Exchnage at  http://www.packagingconnections.com/p-exchange/moef-draft-notification-plastic-manufacturerusage-and-waste-management-rules2009.htm

 We look forward to your comments, ideas to address it and recommend innovative solutions.

Comments

Absolutely a haste decision taken by Government. At this point of time we don't have any better alternate form of packaging which can be as economical & convenient like laminated pouches. On the ground of pollution control ban on plastic laminates is a welcome move, but practicability is what needs to be judged & understood properly in this hour.
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 08:58

I really appreciate the fact that our government is so very concerned with the pollution hazards in our country. But the way this ban has been implemented should be taken care for. Rules must be made at the groud level and licensing should only be given once it has been implemented. This is no way to play with the bread and butter of so many families coz of this. On the contrary govt should suggest the other ways to cope up the packaging problems. Govt. proposed to use paper bags instead of plastic carry bags. Its good but can somebody please let us know how this paper is made. Is it eco friendly. As a common man I believe paper is made from cutting trees which indeed is a major cause of pollution. Hope we will get the answer really soon Regards
Wed, 01/06/2010 - 01:42

Absolutely right, to me it looks more of political mileage rather tham real concern to take care of the environment. Its easier to copy the decisions from west but what about copying the infrastructure and social security to citizens?
Fri, 01/08/2010 - 07:00

it was due to new regulations ridgraeng the ink in writing on cardboard not being allowed in compost and that it is a temporary measure prior to changes to the waste/recycling collections next April and that it was felt it was a waste of money to issue new boxes now when in all likelihood a new wheely bin will be introduced next year. (!)They said they had spoken to the binmen about which lorries had the most capacity prior to making the decision. Also said that we are free to leave cardboard out separately on black box days and any additional black box items in plastic bags (but not black bags).I used to think we had quite a good and sensible waste/recycling collection but its becoming a little tiresome now bagging the extra cardboard and black box items. At least it appears to be only temporary.Hope that helps.
Mon, 09/17/2012 - 15:52

Sad that the Law is not enforced. It will take atleast a 100 years to clean up our Water bodies and environment of all Plastic. Plastic is more a bane than noon and the sooner we are rid of it, the better

Fri, 01/17/2020 - 10:10
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