Hindustan Times
'Plastic surgery' for Mumbai
Mumbai, Dec. 29 --
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) proposal to ban plastic bans in Mumbai is set to become a reality with the state government saying it would support the move. Currently, bags thinner than 50 microns cannot be sold - a ban imposed after the July 2005 deluge. It was found that plastic bags had choked several drains, amplifying the effect of the downpour.
Once the BMC passes the new proposal, all plastic bags would be banned. "The issue is under civic jurisdiction. We will extend all the help required to implement the ban," said Environment Secretary Valsa Nair. The Hindustan Times was the first to report, on December 27, that the BMC was contemplating the ban. Mayor Shraddha Jadhav pushed for a total ban because the BMC was finding it tough to keep a check on bags that are thinner than 50 microns while allowing those that are thicker.
Once cleared by the BMC, the proposal would have to be sent to the state government. The government would then have to amend the law to make the ban a reality. Nair said the Centre had also prepared a draft law to ban plastic bags across India. The state had given its suggestions and a final notification is expected soon. "One of our suggestions was to increase the penalty for using plastic bags thinner than 50 microns to Rs 5,000 from the present Rs 1,000," said Nair. "The Central notification will take a while to be implemented. But if the BMC decides to ban plastic bags, we can do that soon." Between April 2008 and October 2009, the BMC seized 19,400 kg of plastic bags thinner than 50 microns. Rs 98 lakh was collected in penalties. Jadhav said the proposal would be tabled in a meeting of party group leaders on January 2. "We will discuss it on a priority basis," she said. She added that she would encourage the use of cloth bags as an alternative and would take the opinion of plastic bag manufacturers into account. A complete ban on plastic bags already exists in Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Kerala and Matheran. Last week, the Pune civic body also okayed such a ban.
According to civic statistics, Mumbai generates 8,000 metric tones of garbage every day, of which plastic accounts for 4 per cent.
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
Sunday, 27 December 2009
From the news outlets
Packaging Law.Com
India Proposes New Rules on Plastic Containers
with Far-Reaching Implications
Dec 15, 2009
The Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests (MEF) proposed new regulations that would effectively ban the use of recycled or biodegradable plastics in food contact packages, in addition to imposing significant other requirements. Draft notification S.O. 2400(E), or the "Plastics (Manufacture, Usage and Waste Management) Rules" (Plastics Notification), applies to "containers," which are defined in the regulations to include "flexible or rigid containers made of virgin plastic or recycled plastics or biodegradable plastics with or without lid used to store or dispense commodities."
Section 5(b) of the Plastics Notification states, "no person shall use carry bags or containers made of recycled plastics or biodegradable plastics for storing, carrying, dispensing or packaging foodstuffs." Keller and Heckman LLP submitted comments on the Notification on behalf of the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) and the International Chewing Gum Association (ICGA) opposing the ban. The comments pointed out that: food packaging substances are already regulated by Indian government agencies other than MEF, and that sophisticated processes exist for recycling PET and other plastic materials to produce safe recycled and biodegradable materials for use in food packaging applications.
The Notification also prohibits the manufacture, distribution, and sale of "non-recyclable laminated plastic or metallic pouches, multilayered packaging, and other non-recyclable plastics." Additionally, the proposed rules mandate labeling all plastic bags and containers for commodities to indicate whether they are made from "recycled," "biodegradable," or "virgin" material.
While the Plastics Notification does not expressly ban the use of colorants, it specifies that containers made from virgin plastic be "natural in shade." SPI's comments explain that colorants in food and drug packaging are sometimes used to protect packaged products from ultraviolet rays that can accelerate the degradation of food or reduce the strength of packaged drugs. The comments also point out that consumers identify with certain products and brands by the color of the packaging.
Luibeg Comment:
"The draft Notification of September 17th 2009 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests affects the entire plastic manufacturing industry in India and will have a far reaching negative impact if introduced. It is known that there has been a significant reaction from all areas of the industry who have submitted suggestions, strong representation and objections against the proposed Act in it`s current format. Luibeg have submitted alternative proposals which clearly define the different technologies available, i.e. oxo-biodegradable and hydro-biodegradable, together with the correct test protocols and International Standards which should be applied to each technology. (There has been major confusion amongst the various Government Departments as to which test protocol or Standards to follow, resulting in the incorrect methodology being used with resultant test results being wongly issued) We have also argued a case as to why "compostable" is not a route to follow in India and why alternatives to plastic are not a practical solution. We are aware of the fact that many of our customers and industry colleagues have written independently to the Government on this very serious matter, although to date, Symphony and the Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics Association have yet to directly respond. In the meantime, State Governments continue to introduce blanket bans on plastic bag manufacturing, as referred to in the Pune article reproduced on this site and the Indusry suffers as a result of the continuing uncertainty and confusion. As everyone knows, plastic is an established fact of life which will never go away - it is neither a practical nor economical solution to ban the production of plastic products. The solution lies in adopting technology to overcome and control the problems, whilst ensuring that the Industry continues to grow and accept the positive alternatives to protect its future. Panic measures with the introduction of unworkable or unenforceable laws exacerbated by the failure to understand or accept alternative technologies will only create disaster and the problems will still remain unresolved."
Punescoop.com
Complete Ban On Plastic Bags In Pune Soon
Thu Dec 24, 2009
Use of plastic bags of all sizes and shapes will soon be banned in the city. The general body (GB) meeting of the Pune Municipal Corporation on Wednesday approved a resolution enforcing a complete ban on use of plastic bags.
The decision, taken to prevent further degradation of environment due to plastic, will come into force once the state government gives it a final approval.
At the GB, standing committee chairman Nilesh Nikam congratulated all corporators for unanimously supporting the decision. He said the decision assumes significance as it comes a few days after the Copenhagen summit.
Use of plastic bags of all sizes and shapes will soon be banned in the city. The general body (GB) meeting of the Pune Municipal Corporation on Wednesday approved a resolution enforcing a complete ban on use of plastic bags.
The decision, taken to prevent further degradation of environment due to plastic, will come into force once the state government gives it a final approval.
Source: Times Of India Complete ban on plastic bags in Pune soon
At the GB, standing committee chairman Nilesh Nikam congratulated all corporators for unanimously supporting the decision. He said the decision assumes significance as it comes a few days after the Copenhagen summit.
The proposal banning use of plastic bags was first moved by corporators Ashok Yenpure and Dilip Umbarkar in May this year. The standing committee had approved the proposal in the wake of the solid waste mangement imbroglio the city had to face following agitations by residents of Urali and Phursungi, where city's waste is dumped.
While the civic administration made no statement on how the ban on use of plastic bags will be implemented, corporators demanded that action should be taken against all traders, shopkeepers, hawkers and vendors who keep such bags.
Meanwhile, in another decision, the general body approved a proposal to transport 100 metric tonnes of organic waste for generation of biogas if any person was willing to implement it on land
India Proposes New Rules on Plastic Containers
with Far-Reaching Implications
Dec 15, 2009
The Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests (MEF) proposed new regulations that would effectively ban the use of recycled or biodegradable plastics in food contact packages, in addition to imposing significant other requirements. Draft notification S.O. 2400(E), or the "Plastics (Manufacture, Usage and Waste Management) Rules" (Plastics Notification), applies to "containers," which are defined in the regulations to include "flexible or rigid containers made of virgin plastic or recycled plastics or biodegradable plastics with or without lid used to store or dispense commodities."
Section 5(b) of the Plastics Notification states, "no person shall use carry bags or containers made of recycled plastics or biodegradable plastics for storing, carrying, dispensing or packaging foodstuffs." Keller and Heckman LLP submitted comments on the Notification on behalf of the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) and the International Chewing Gum Association (ICGA) opposing the ban. The comments pointed out that: food packaging substances are already regulated by Indian government agencies other than MEF, and that sophisticated processes exist for recycling PET and other plastic materials to produce safe recycled and biodegradable materials for use in food packaging applications.
The Notification also prohibits the manufacture, distribution, and sale of "non-recyclable laminated plastic or metallic pouches, multilayered packaging, and other non-recyclable plastics." Additionally, the proposed rules mandate labeling all plastic bags and containers for commodities to indicate whether they are made from "recycled," "biodegradable," or "virgin" material.
While the Plastics Notification does not expressly ban the use of colorants, it specifies that containers made from virgin plastic be "natural in shade." SPI's comments explain that colorants in food and drug packaging are sometimes used to protect packaged products from ultraviolet rays that can accelerate the degradation of food or reduce the strength of packaged drugs. The comments also point out that consumers identify with certain products and brands by the color of the packaging.
Luibeg Comment:
"The draft Notification of September 17th 2009 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests affects the entire plastic manufacturing industry in India and will have a far reaching negative impact if introduced. It is known that there has been a significant reaction from all areas of the industry who have submitted suggestions, strong representation and objections against the proposed Act in it`s current format. Luibeg have submitted alternative proposals which clearly define the different technologies available, i.e. oxo-biodegradable and hydro-biodegradable, together with the correct test protocols and International Standards which should be applied to each technology. (There has been major confusion amongst the various Government Departments as to which test protocol or Standards to follow, resulting in the incorrect methodology being used with resultant test results being wongly issued) We have also argued a case as to why "compostable" is not a route to follow in India and why alternatives to plastic are not a practical solution. We are aware of the fact that many of our customers and industry colleagues have written independently to the Government on this very serious matter, although to date, Symphony and the Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics Association have yet to directly respond. In the meantime, State Governments continue to introduce blanket bans on plastic bag manufacturing, as referred to in the Pune article reproduced on this site and the Indusry suffers as a result of the continuing uncertainty and confusion. As everyone knows, plastic is an established fact of life which will never go away - it is neither a practical nor economical solution to ban the production of plastic products. The solution lies in adopting technology to overcome and control the problems, whilst ensuring that the Industry continues to grow and accept the positive alternatives to protect its future. Panic measures with the introduction of unworkable or unenforceable laws exacerbated by the failure to understand or accept alternative technologies will only create disaster and the problems will still remain unresolved."
Punescoop.com
Complete Ban On Plastic Bags In Pune Soon
Thu Dec 24, 2009
Use of plastic bags of all sizes and shapes will soon be banned in the city. The general body (GB) meeting of the Pune Municipal Corporation on Wednesday approved a resolution enforcing a complete ban on use of plastic bags.
The decision, taken to prevent further degradation of environment due to plastic, will come into force once the state government gives it a final approval.
At the GB, standing committee chairman Nilesh Nikam congratulated all corporators for unanimously supporting the decision. He said the decision assumes significance as it comes a few days after the Copenhagen summit.
Use of plastic bags of all sizes and shapes will soon be banned in the city. The general body (GB) meeting of the Pune Municipal Corporation on Wednesday approved a resolution enforcing a complete ban on use of plastic bags.
The decision, taken to prevent further degradation of environment due to plastic, will come into force once the state government gives it a final approval.
Source: Times Of India Complete ban on plastic bags in Pune soon
At the GB, standing committee chairman Nilesh Nikam congratulated all corporators for unanimously supporting the decision. He said the decision assumes significance as it comes a few days after the Copenhagen summit.
The proposal banning use of plastic bags was first moved by corporators Ashok Yenpure and Dilip Umbarkar in May this year. The standing committee had approved the proposal in the wake of the solid waste mangement imbroglio the city had to face following agitations by residents of Urali and Phursungi, where city's waste is dumped.
While the civic administration made no statement on how the ban on use of plastic bags will be implemented, corporators demanded that action should be taken against all traders, shopkeepers, hawkers and vendors who keep such bags.
Meanwhile, in another decision, the general body approved a proposal to transport 100 metric tonnes of organic waste for generation of biogas if any person was willing to implement it on land
Friday, 25 December 2009
Following a short but extensive end of Year visit to India, Luibeg are very pleased to make the following announcements:
With a view to strengthening our direct representation within the individual States of India, we have expanded the Luibeg Group through the appointment of a number of high profile Companies to represent us in Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Delhi and West Bengal. Full details will be released shortly. The appointments will allow us to access a large number of manufacturers through existing and long standing trading associations, and to also have direct representation with the respective State Pollution Control Boards and Government Departments.
We have just completed and signed off the documentation for the Registration of our new Company in India. This is a major step in expanding our presence in the Country and the new “Luibeg” Company will take forward the entire Indian operation.
Extensive production trials will commence in January with four of India`s major packaging companies. Full details will be reported on conclusion of their trials and the subsequent testing of films to be used. We are delighted with this significant development.
Luibeg are also delighted to announce that through one of our esteemed customers, 21st Century Packaging in Delhi, we are now supplying d2w for the manufacture of bio-medical waste bags used in nearly every hospital in Delhi. This highly important contract comes as a result of the ban on non degradable plastics introduced by the Government.
On behalf of the Luibeg Team, we would like to wish everyone, not least our customers and shareholders a very Happy Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year in 2010.
With a view to strengthening our direct representation within the individual States of India, we have expanded the Luibeg Group through the appointment of a number of high profile Companies to represent us in Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Delhi and West Bengal. Full details will be released shortly. The appointments will allow us to access a large number of manufacturers through existing and long standing trading associations, and to also have direct representation with the respective State Pollution Control Boards and Government Departments.
We have just completed and signed off the documentation for the Registration of our new Company in India. This is a major step in expanding our presence in the Country and the new “Luibeg” Company will take forward the entire Indian operation.
Extensive production trials will commence in January with four of India`s major packaging companies. Full details will be reported on conclusion of their trials and the subsequent testing of films to be used. We are delighted with this significant development.
Luibeg are also delighted to announce that through one of our esteemed customers, 21st Century Packaging in Delhi, we are now supplying d2w for the manufacture of bio-medical waste bags used in nearly every hospital in Delhi. This highly important contract comes as a result of the ban on non degradable plastics introduced by the Government.
On behalf of the Luibeg Team, we would like to wish everyone, not least our customers and shareholders a very Happy Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year in 2010.
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