The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is all set to introduce a strong plastic ban in the city, starting from August 21. This move is aimed at reducing the use of harmful plastic and making the environment cleaner. To make sure everyone follows these new rules, a special team made up of BMC officers, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) officers, and police constables will be working together. They will check on street vendors, shops, and malls to ensure no one is using banned plastic items. Around 24 police officers, chosen by the MPCB, will join this team. In each area, a group of five people will work together to stop the use of plastic. Altogether, there will be 120 people in this team.
Plastic Ban: What You Need to Know
The government of Maharashtra put a stop to the production, sale, use, and even storing of plastic back in March 2018. The BMC has been actively taking steps against anyone who breaks this rule. Unfortunately, due to this pandemic, these efforts had to be stopped. However, from July 2022, the BMC started their work again. In the past year, they have conducted 1, 586 surprise visits to different places, seized about 5, 285 kilograms of plastic, and collected fines amounting to a total of INR 79 lakh.
What Falls Under the Ban?
This ban is about saying no to certain types of plastic items. It includes things like plastic bags, pouches, bowls, and bottles that are less than 200 ml in size. Even single-use plates and glasses made of thermocol are banned, but there is an exception for specific milk pouches. If someone doesn’t follow these rules, there will be penalties. For the first time, the fine will be INR 5, 000. If someone is caught a second time, the fine will be higher, which is INR 10, 000. And if it happens a third time, the fine will be INR 25, 000, and the person might also have to spend three months in jail.
Know the Exceptions
It’s important to understand that some types of plastic are still allowed. For example, plastic that is made of at least 20% material that can be recycled and is thicker than 50 microns can still be used for wrapping things.
This move by the BMC is aimed at making Mumbai a cleaner and greener place to live. It’s a reminder for all of us to be more responsible with our plastic use and help protect the environment. Starting from August 21, let’s all do our part to reduce plastic and make Mumbai a better place for everyone.