Himachal promoting use of plastic waste to build roads
Shimla, Jan 31
Buoyed by the successful use of plastic waste to build three stretches of road, the Himachal Pradesh government will now use all the plastic waste it collected during a drive last month for road surfacing.
During the weeklong ‘Polythene Hatao, Paryavaran Bachao (remove polythene, save environment)’ campaign carried out across the state, about 1,381 quintals of waste was collected, a government spokesperson said.
“The entire plastic waste (1,381 quintals) would be used for laying plastic-bitumen mix roads in the state. This waste would be sufficient to tar a stretch of 138 km,” said the spokesperson.
The Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board in collaboration with the Public Works Department (PWD) has built three road stretches on a pilot basis by using shredded plastic waste on the outskirts of Shimla.
The waste plastic such as carry bags, disposable cups, laminated plastics like pouches of chips, pan masala, aluminium foil and packaging material used for biscuits, chocolates, milk and grocery items was used in surfacing roads.
“The results have been good in the past four months as there has been no stripping or any other major damage to the roads laid by using plastic-asphalt mix. Of course, the plastic blend not only helps lowering the cost of tarring but also enhances the durability of roads because of higher binding strength of plastic,” PWD superintending engineer Naresh Sharma told IANS.
Explaining the rationale for using the waste plastic in road construction, he said if plastic waste could be mixed up to 15 percent, this would lead to saving of equivalent quantity of asphalt, reducing the overall construction cost.
“The plastic waste replaces 10 to 15 percent of the bitumen and thus saves approximately Rs.35,000 to Rs.45,000 per km of a road stretch,” Sharma added.
Himachal Pradesh imposed on Oct 2, 2009, a ban on the production, storage, use, sale and distribution of all types of polythene bags made of non-biodegradable materials.
The government is also planning to include all plastic materials like disposable plates, cups and glasses in the ambit of the ban.
The ban on use of coloured polythene bags manufactured from recycled plastic was initially imposed Jan 1, 1999. Later in 2004, the ban was imposed under Section 7(h) of the State Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Rules on the use of small polythene bags having thickness less than 70 microns and size less than 18″x12″.
But last year a total ban was imposed on the use of polythene bags of all types and sizes.
Before the partial implementation of the ban in 2004, polythene pollution was a major problem in the state. During the monsoon, the rainwater brought along heaps of polythene bags and other non-biodegradable material that choked most drains.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Plastic fantastic?
Mumbai: BMC may cancel licence if plastic diktat is flouted
January 30, 2010
MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) proposes to cancel the licences of those commercial establishments found selling plastic carry bags below 50 microns.
The harsh punishment is being recommended as part of a string of measures the civic body will forward to the state government, to curb the menace of plastic bags.
The new BMC proposal will be tabled before the civic house next week. Once cleared, the civic body will ask the state to make necessary changes to the Maharashtra Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Ordinance, 2006.
“The licences of errant establishment — dealers and retailers — will be cancelled if they are found to be selling plastic bags below the prescribed limit,’’ said a senior civic official of the BMC shops and establishment.The municipal corporation has 4.78 lakh shops, commercial establishment, hotels, restaurants and eating houses, registered under the Bombay Shops and Establishments Act, 1948. The other measures recommended in the new proposal include one that errant manufacturers must be prosecuted. Litigation will act as a deterrent against those who produce unauthorised bags, officials said.
Currently, first-time offenders are fined Rs 5,000 and second-time offenders, Rs 10,000. Third-time offenders are fined Rs 25,000 and can be sentenced to a three-month jail term.
The BMC has also suggested suitable changes in the existing laws to make consumers responsible for aiding and abetting circulation of banned plastic bag.
A fine ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 100 would be imposed on anyone found carrying plastic bags of a thickness less than 50 microns. The thickness limit of 50 micron could also be altered to that of 70, officials said. The idea is to make the existing rules more stringent to discourage manufacturing, use and circulation of banned plastic, since it is difficult to take action against manufacturing units, most of which are located outside city limits. Within the city, it is the responsibility of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to take action, an offical said. “We can only take action against them at our Octroi check nakas. However, even that is difficult since unauthorised plastic is mostly smuggled under the garb of miscellaneous goods,’’ said additional municipal commissioner R A Rajeev.
January 30, 2010
MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) proposes to cancel the licences of those commercial establishments found selling plastic carry bags below 50 microns.
The harsh punishment is being recommended as part of a string of measures the civic body will forward to the state government, to curb the menace of plastic bags.
The new BMC proposal will be tabled before the civic house next week. Once cleared, the civic body will ask the state to make necessary changes to the Maharashtra Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Ordinance, 2006.
“The licences of errant establishment — dealers and retailers — will be cancelled if they are found to be selling plastic bags below the prescribed limit,’’ said a senior civic official of the BMC shops and establishment.The municipal corporation has 4.78 lakh shops, commercial establishment, hotels, restaurants and eating houses, registered under the Bombay Shops and Establishments Act, 1948. The other measures recommended in the new proposal include one that errant manufacturers must be prosecuted. Litigation will act as a deterrent against those who produce unauthorised bags, officials said.
Currently, first-time offenders are fined Rs 5,000 and second-time offenders, Rs 10,000. Third-time offenders are fined Rs 25,000 and can be sentenced to a three-month jail term.
The BMC has also suggested suitable changes in the existing laws to make consumers responsible for aiding and abetting circulation of banned plastic bag.
A fine ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 100 would be imposed on anyone found carrying plastic bags of a thickness less than 50 microns. The thickness limit of 50 micron could also be altered to that of 70, officials said. The idea is to make the existing rules more stringent to discourage manufacturing, use and circulation of banned plastic, since it is difficult to take action against manufacturing units, most of which are located outside city limits. Within the city, it is the responsibility of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to take action, an offical said. “We can only take action against them at our Octroi check nakas. However, even that is difficult since unauthorised plastic is mostly smuggled under the garb of miscellaneous goods,’’ said additional municipal commissioner R A Rajeev.
Friday, 29 January 2010
Today's press
New Kerala.com
SC not to lift ban on use of plastic bags
New Delhi, Jan 29 :
The Supreme Court today refused to lift the ban on the use on plastic and polythene bags.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan today declined the plea of the All India Plastic Manufacturers Association for staying the operation of Delhi High Court judgement which had banned the use of polythene bags in the national capital.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner submitted before the court that the use of polythene bags do not cause environmental pollution. Also the livelihood of the people working in the plastic industry was at stake.
The apex court was, however, not impressed by the contention of the petitioner.
---------------------
India Environment Portal
Now, 70-micron plastic bags may come under ban
Sandeep Ashar / DNA
Friday, January 29
Mumbai: The ban on polythene bags may get extended beyond 50 microns. The civic administration, which was recently asked by the government to formulate a draft suggesting revisions to the existing ban, is likely to recommend the inclusion of plastic bags made up of polythene thicker than 50 microns in the ban’s ambit.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that to increase the efficacy of the ban, carrybags below 70 microns could well be brought under the scanner.
The anti-plastic carrybag drive begun with a ban on the use of plastic below 20 microns in 2005. A year later, the ban was extended to below 50-micron plastic. A senior civic official said that any ban has to be progressive in nature. The draft recommendations prepared by the civic body will be tabled before the corporation next week.
The draft will also suggest recommendations of including thin bags (not classified as carrybags) in the ban’s ambit. Current provisions in the Maharashtra Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Ordinance, 2006, exclude thin plastic.
The civic administration is likely to press for a restriction on the use of materials like cups and plates made of thin plastic.
Dr Mahindra Parmar, president, All India Plastic Manufacturers’ Association, said that his organisation will not have an objection to an extension of the ban to 70 micron. “We feel that this will only increase the tendency of the people to re-use permitted plastic. This will lead to a reduction in discarded plastic,” he said.
Dr Parmar also said that quality polythene bags are made of above 100-micron plastic. He, however, added that ban on plastic of any thickness will not work till proper arrangements are made for its efficient disposal. The association has proposed to work with the BMC to set up recycling centres.
SC not to lift ban on use of plastic bags
New Delhi, Jan 29 :
The Supreme Court today refused to lift the ban on the use on plastic and polythene bags.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan today declined the plea of the All India Plastic Manufacturers Association for staying the operation of Delhi High Court judgement which had banned the use of polythene bags in the national capital.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner submitted before the court that the use of polythene bags do not cause environmental pollution. Also the livelihood of the people working in the plastic industry was at stake.
The apex court was, however, not impressed by the contention of the petitioner.
---------------------
India Environment Portal
Now, 70-micron plastic bags may come under ban
Sandeep Ashar / DNA
Friday, January 29
Mumbai: The ban on polythene bags may get extended beyond 50 microns. The civic administration, which was recently asked by the government to formulate a draft suggesting revisions to the existing ban, is likely to recommend the inclusion of plastic bags made up of polythene thicker than 50 microns in the ban’s ambit.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that to increase the efficacy of the ban, carrybags below 70 microns could well be brought under the scanner.
The anti-plastic carrybag drive begun with a ban on the use of plastic below 20 microns in 2005. A year later, the ban was extended to below 50-micron plastic. A senior civic official said that any ban has to be progressive in nature. The draft recommendations prepared by the civic body will be tabled before the corporation next week.
The draft will also suggest recommendations of including thin bags (not classified as carrybags) in the ban’s ambit. Current provisions in the Maharashtra Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Ordinance, 2006, exclude thin plastic.
The civic administration is likely to press for a restriction on the use of materials like cups and plates made of thin plastic.
Dr Mahindra Parmar, president, All India Plastic Manufacturers’ Association, said that his organisation will not have an objection to an extension of the ban to 70 micron. “We feel that this will only increase the tendency of the people to re-use permitted plastic. This will lead to a reduction in discarded plastic,” he said.
Dr Parmar also said that quality polythene bags are made of above 100-micron plastic. He, however, added that ban on plastic of any thickness will not work till proper arrangements are made for its efficient disposal. The association has proposed to work with the BMC to set up recycling centres.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
From the press
OneIndia
Plastic garbage turns off for tourists in Himachal Pradesh
Kufri, Jan 28
The plastic garbage scattered in the Kufri region of Himachal Pradesh has been disappointing the tourists visiting the region.
Although Himachal Pradesh became the first state in India to impose a ban on the use of plastic bags on June 5, 2004, many shopkeepers across the state continue to use plastic bags in gross violation of the law.
The plastic waste scattered in and around the Mahasu Peak, one of the main attractions of the Kufri region.Located at an altitude of 10,000-feet above sea level, the Mahasu Peak is the highest in Kufri, and experiences heavy snowfall between the months of December and February.
"My impression before coming to this place was that it is a very beautiful place and we were expecting a lot of snowfall here, but when we came here, the impression was too bad. There is no proper disposable garbage. There is garbage all around. The municipal committee of this place should install more and more hoardings, and should make people aware that this place is of natural beauty, and we should not only enjoy ourselves but we have to sustain this for our future generations," said Ashish Gupta, a tourist from Delhi.
he state's tourism department admits the problem of pollution and worsening conditions of the hill destination.Director of the Tourism Department, Arun Sharma, said that meetings with locals and departments of the state government are being organized to resolve this issue."
The Tourism Department is ready to help them in this regard. I have already spoken to the Environment Department and District Administration, and we are going to discuss this issue with the Panchayat representatives in detail, to take necessary steps for curbing this problem. If then also we don't come across any solution, then simultaneously we will invoke penal provisions," said Sharma.
The Hindu
Plastic waste to be collected from six wards of Nagercoil Municipality
Staff Reporter
Nagercoil:
The district administration has selected six wards of Nagercoil Municipality for the implementation of collecting and sending non-degradable plastic waste from Kanyakumari district to India Cements in Tirunelveli district as fuel, said the Collector, Rajendra Ratnoo.
India Cements
The Collector said that the non-degradable waste from three wards would be collected once in a week, on Monday, and the same would be sent to India Cements everyday from the other three wards.
This was a pilot project and if successfully implemented, it would be extended to other parts of the district, with an intention to announce Kanyakumari as a ‘plastic-free district’ on or before April 1.
More than 400 college and school students underwent special training programme, organised by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to take this message to the people from all walks of life.
They would visit nook and corner of each and every village to create awareness among the people on the need for not using plastic items. They would instead tell them to use eco-friendly paper bags and cups.
All the local bodies had been asked to pass a resolution in the council meeting about the ban on the usage of plastic materials.
Throwing the plastic materials would obstruct the rise in groundwater level during rainy season.
Paper bags
The Project Officer of District Rural Development Agency, Santhos Kumar, was asked to select self help groups capable of making paper bags and cups on or before March 15.
As fuel
The Executive Engineer of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Kirubanatha Rajan, said that the district administration of Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts made an agreement with India Cements to provide non-degradable wastes to be used as fuel for manufacturing cement.
Plastic garbage turns off for tourists in Himachal Pradesh
Kufri, Jan 28
The plastic garbage scattered in the Kufri region of Himachal Pradesh has been disappointing the tourists visiting the region.
Although Himachal Pradesh became the first state in India to impose a ban on the use of plastic bags on June 5, 2004, many shopkeepers across the state continue to use plastic bags in gross violation of the law.
The plastic waste scattered in and around the Mahasu Peak, one of the main attractions of the Kufri region.Located at an altitude of 10,000-feet above sea level, the Mahasu Peak is the highest in Kufri, and experiences heavy snowfall between the months of December and February.
"My impression before coming to this place was that it is a very beautiful place and we were expecting a lot of snowfall here, but when we came here, the impression was too bad. There is no proper disposable garbage. There is garbage all around. The municipal committee of this place should install more and more hoardings, and should make people aware that this place is of natural beauty, and we should not only enjoy ourselves but we have to sustain this for our future generations," said Ashish Gupta, a tourist from Delhi.
he state's tourism department admits the problem of pollution and worsening conditions of the hill destination.Director of the Tourism Department, Arun Sharma, said that meetings with locals and departments of the state government are being organized to resolve this issue."
The Tourism Department is ready to help them in this regard. I have already spoken to the Environment Department and District Administration, and we are going to discuss this issue with the Panchayat representatives in detail, to take necessary steps for curbing this problem. If then also we don't come across any solution, then simultaneously we will invoke penal provisions," said Sharma.
The Hindu
Plastic waste to be collected from six wards of Nagercoil Municipality
Staff Reporter
Nagercoil:
The district administration has selected six wards of Nagercoil Municipality for the implementation of collecting and sending non-degradable plastic waste from Kanyakumari district to India Cements in Tirunelveli district as fuel, said the Collector, Rajendra Ratnoo.
India Cements
The Collector said that the non-degradable waste from three wards would be collected once in a week, on Monday, and the same would be sent to India Cements everyday from the other three wards.
This was a pilot project and if successfully implemented, it would be extended to other parts of the district, with an intention to announce Kanyakumari as a ‘plastic-free district’ on or before April 1.
More than 400 college and school students underwent special training programme, organised by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to take this message to the people from all walks of life.
They would visit nook and corner of each and every village to create awareness among the people on the need for not using plastic items. They would instead tell them to use eco-friendly paper bags and cups.
All the local bodies had been asked to pass a resolution in the council meeting about the ban on the usage of plastic materials.
Throwing the plastic materials would obstruct the rise in groundwater level during rainy season.
Paper bags
The Project Officer of District Rural Development Agency, Santhos Kumar, was asked to select self help groups capable of making paper bags and cups on or before March 15.
As fuel
The Executive Engineer of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Kirubanatha Rajan, said that the district administration of Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts made an agreement with India Cements to provide non-degradable wastes to be used as fuel for manufacturing cement.
B.Y.O???
Bring Your Own Bag:
102 Cities and Countries That Ban or Tax Plastic Bags
The "paper or plastic" mantra once commonly heard at check-out stands around the world is rapidly being replaced with, "Did you BYOB, "Bring Your Own Bag."As with so many other trends in the U.S., San Francisco started the bag-ban movement, effective April 2007 and translating into 5 million fewer plastic bags being used every month. Bangladesh outlawed the petroleum-based products in 2002, with cities and countries from China to Zanzibar soon following suit.
Our nation's capitol [US] set an example for the rest of the country this month when they began levying a 5-cents surcharge on plastic and paper bags at stores that sell food and/or alcohol. U.S. legislators took note and introduced the Plastic Bag Reduction Act, imposing a five-cent fee on “single-use” bags in larger stores.Last June -- despite intense push-back from plastic-bag manufacturers -- the United Nations jumped into the fray and called for a global ban on single-use plastic bags, the second most common form of litter after cigarette butts.The movement is seen as a way to protect the environment, curb global warming and reform a disposable-minded society.
The ubiquitous bags are blamed for choking birds and fish, floating into trees, rooftops and streets and sticking around years longer than paper. About 100,000 whales, seals, turtles and other marine animals are killed by plastic bags each year worldwide, according to Planet Ark, an international environmental group. The Chinese call them "white pollution" and they're known derisively in South Africa as the "national flower."
As a result of all this hue and cry, the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) movement is growing by leaps and bounds. RUBs, or re-usable bags, made from cloth or recycled materials have turned into a major industry. Many stores now take 5-cents off each RUB they pack.
Plastic Bag Fees
Belgium – Effective July 1, 2007
Denmark – Adopted in 1994
Germany - Adopted in 2003
Hong Kong – Adopted April 2009; Effective July 2009
Irish Republic – Effective March 2002, 15-cents per bag
Israel – Adopted June 2008
Italy – Adopted in 1988; Ban to be introduced in 2010
Netherlands – Effective January 2008
Seattle, Washington – Adopted by city council on July 28, 2008 – Defeated by ballot initiative on August 18th
Toronto, Ontario —Effective June 1, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Adopted June 16, 2009
Plastic Bag Bans United States--
Alaska – As of 1998, 30 villages and towns have bans--
District of Columbia - Effective January 2010--
Edmonds, WA – Adopted August 2009; Effective August 2010--
Fairfax, Calif. – Passed by voter initiative on November 4, 2008--
Kauai County, Hawaii- Effective 2011--
Malibu, Calif. – Adopted May 2008--Manhattan Beach, Calif. – Adopted July 1, 2008 – In lawsuit--Marshall County, Iowa – Effective April 9, 2009--
Maui County, Hawaii - Effective 2011--
North Carolina (Outer Banks) – Adopted June 24, 2009; Effective September 1, 2009--
Oakland, Calif. – Adopted June 29, 2007 – Voluntary ban--Paia,
Maui, Hawaii – Effective 2008--
Palo Alto, Calif. - Adopted March 2009; Effective September 2009--
San Francisco, Calif. – Adopted April 2007--
Suffolk County, New York – Adopted in 1988--
Westport, Connecticut – Adopted September 2, 2008; Effective March 19, 2009
Bangladesh - Effective March 1, 2002--
Dahka - Banned plastic bags in January of 2002--
Bhutan - Adopted June 2006
Botswana - Effective February 1, 2007
Brazil – Effective October 2007
Buenos Aires, Argentina – Effective September 2008
China - Effective June 1, 2008
Coles Bay, Tasmania - Effective April 2003
Egypt (Red Sea Province) – Effective January 1, 2009
Eritrea – Adopted in 2005
France – Phase out completely by 2010--
Corsica – Full ban effective 1999--
Paris – Full ban adopted January 2007
India - In 2002, the Indian government mandated a thickness rule on plastic bags. All bags must be greater than 20 microns in thickness--
Delhi, India – Full ban effective January 2009--
Chandigarh, India – Full ban effective October 2, 2008--
Himachal Pradesh, India - Full ban effective 2003--
Maharashtra, India - Full ban effective August 2005Italy – Effective 2010. Previously, the country had a plastic bag tax
Karachi, Pakistan - Effective December 2008
Kenya – Adopted in June 2007
Loddon Shire, Victoria (Australia) - Effective December 2005
Macedonia – Effective January 1, 2009
Manitoba, Canada--Coldwell – Adopted August 12, 2008; Effective October 2008--
Eriksdale – December 9, 2008--
Leaf Rapids - Effective April 2007
Mexico City, Mexico – Adopted March 2009; Effective August 2009
New South Wales (Australia)--Huskisson – Adopted November 2003--
Kangaroo Valley – Adopted November 2003--Mogo – Adopted September 2003
Nova Scotia, Canada – Effective fall 2008 (applies to liquor stores only)
Papua New Guinea - Effective December 2004
Quebec, Canada – Effective 2009 (provincial ban applies to liquor stores only)--
Huntingdon – Full ban effective January 2008--
Amqui – Full ban effective Spring 2008Rwanda - Adopted in 2005
Somalia - Adopted in 2005
Somaliland – Effective March 2005
South Africa - Adopted May 9, 2003
South Australia – Adopted November 2008; Effective May 2009
Spain – Mandatory phase out of 50-percent by end of 2009
Taiwan – Adopted in 2007
Tanzania – Effective October 2006--
Zanzibar – Ban in 2007
Uganda - Effective July 1, 2007
Ulanbaatar, Mongolia – Adopted June 2008
United Kingdom
--Aylsham, England – Effective May 3, 2008--
Banchory, Scotland – Effective January 2008--
Girton, England – Effective January 2008--
Hay-On-Wye, Wales – Effective December 2007--
Hebden Bridge, England – Effective December 2007--
Henfield, England – Effective May 2008--
Kew, England – Effective July 2008--
Llandysilio, Wales – Effective 2007--
Modbury, England – Effective May 1, 2007--
Overton, England – Effective October 2007--
Selkirk, Scotland – Effective April 4, 2008--Tisbury, England – Effective January 2008
102 Cities and Countries That Ban or Tax Plastic Bags
The "paper or plastic" mantra once commonly heard at check-out stands around the world is rapidly being replaced with, "Did you BYOB, "Bring Your Own Bag."As with so many other trends in the U.S., San Francisco started the bag-ban movement, effective April 2007 and translating into 5 million fewer plastic bags being used every month. Bangladesh outlawed the petroleum-based products in 2002, with cities and countries from China to Zanzibar soon following suit.
Our nation's capitol [US] set an example for the rest of the country this month when they began levying a 5-cents surcharge on plastic and paper bags at stores that sell food and/or alcohol. U.S. legislators took note and introduced the Plastic Bag Reduction Act, imposing a five-cent fee on “single-use” bags in larger stores.Last June -- despite intense push-back from plastic-bag manufacturers -- the United Nations jumped into the fray and called for a global ban on single-use plastic bags, the second most common form of litter after cigarette butts.The movement is seen as a way to protect the environment, curb global warming and reform a disposable-minded society.
The ubiquitous bags are blamed for choking birds and fish, floating into trees, rooftops and streets and sticking around years longer than paper. About 100,000 whales, seals, turtles and other marine animals are killed by plastic bags each year worldwide, according to Planet Ark, an international environmental group. The Chinese call them "white pollution" and they're known derisively in South Africa as the "national flower."
As a result of all this hue and cry, the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) movement is growing by leaps and bounds. RUBs, or re-usable bags, made from cloth or recycled materials have turned into a major industry. Many stores now take 5-cents off each RUB they pack.
Plastic Bag Fees
Belgium – Effective July 1, 2007
Denmark – Adopted in 1994
Germany - Adopted in 2003
Hong Kong – Adopted April 2009; Effective July 2009
Irish Republic – Effective March 2002, 15-cents per bag
Israel – Adopted June 2008
Italy – Adopted in 1988; Ban to be introduced in 2010
Netherlands – Effective January 2008
Seattle, Washington – Adopted by city council on July 28, 2008 – Defeated by ballot initiative on August 18th
Toronto, Ontario —Effective June 1, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Adopted June 16, 2009
Plastic Bag Bans United States--
Alaska – As of 1998, 30 villages and towns have bans--
District of Columbia - Effective January 2010--
Edmonds, WA – Adopted August 2009; Effective August 2010--
Fairfax, Calif. – Passed by voter initiative on November 4, 2008--
Kauai County, Hawaii- Effective 2011--
Malibu, Calif. – Adopted May 2008--Manhattan Beach, Calif. – Adopted July 1, 2008 – In lawsuit--Marshall County, Iowa – Effective April 9, 2009--
Maui County, Hawaii - Effective 2011--
North Carolina (Outer Banks) – Adopted June 24, 2009; Effective September 1, 2009--
Oakland, Calif. – Adopted June 29, 2007 – Voluntary ban--Paia,
Maui, Hawaii – Effective 2008--
Palo Alto, Calif. - Adopted March 2009; Effective September 2009--
San Francisco, Calif. – Adopted April 2007--
Suffolk County, New York – Adopted in 1988--
Westport, Connecticut – Adopted September 2, 2008; Effective March 19, 2009
Bangladesh - Effective March 1, 2002--
Dahka - Banned plastic bags in January of 2002--
Bhutan - Adopted June 2006
Botswana - Effective February 1, 2007
Brazil – Effective October 2007
Buenos Aires, Argentina – Effective September 2008
China - Effective June 1, 2008
Coles Bay, Tasmania - Effective April 2003
Egypt (Red Sea Province) – Effective January 1, 2009
Eritrea – Adopted in 2005
France – Phase out completely by 2010--
Corsica – Full ban effective 1999--
Paris – Full ban adopted January 2007
India - In 2002, the Indian government mandated a thickness rule on plastic bags. All bags must be greater than 20 microns in thickness--
Delhi, India – Full ban effective January 2009--
Chandigarh, India – Full ban effective October 2, 2008--
Himachal Pradesh, India - Full ban effective 2003--
Maharashtra, India - Full ban effective August 2005Italy – Effective 2010. Previously, the country had a plastic bag tax
Karachi, Pakistan - Effective December 2008
Kenya – Adopted in June 2007
Loddon Shire, Victoria (Australia) - Effective December 2005
Macedonia – Effective January 1, 2009
Manitoba, Canada--Coldwell – Adopted August 12, 2008; Effective October 2008--
Eriksdale – December 9, 2008--
Leaf Rapids - Effective April 2007
Mexico City, Mexico – Adopted March 2009; Effective August 2009
New South Wales (Australia)--Huskisson – Adopted November 2003--
Kangaroo Valley – Adopted November 2003--Mogo – Adopted September 2003
Nova Scotia, Canada – Effective fall 2008 (applies to liquor stores only)
Papua New Guinea - Effective December 2004
Quebec, Canada – Effective 2009 (provincial ban applies to liquor stores only)--
Huntingdon – Full ban effective January 2008--
Amqui – Full ban effective Spring 2008Rwanda - Adopted in 2005
Somalia - Adopted in 2005
Somaliland – Effective March 2005
South Africa - Adopted May 9, 2003
South Australia – Adopted November 2008; Effective May 2009
Spain – Mandatory phase out of 50-percent by end of 2009
Taiwan – Adopted in 2007
Tanzania – Effective October 2006--
Zanzibar – Ban in 2007
Uganda - Effective July 1, 2007
Ulanbaatar, Mongolia – Adopted June 2008
United Kingdom
--Aylsham, England – Effective May 3, 2008--
Banchory, Scotland – Effective January 2008--
Girton, England – Effective January 2008--
Hay-On-Wye, Wales – Effective December 2007--
Hebden Bridge, England – Effective December 2007--
Henfield, England – Effective May 2008--
Kew, England – Effective July 2008--
Llandysilio, Wales – Effective 2007--
Modbury, England – Effective May 1, 2007--
Overton, England – Effective October 2007--
Selkirk, Scotland – Effective April 4, 2008--Tisbury, England – Effective January 2008
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Plastic makers move BMC with recycle mantra
Sandeep Ashar / DNA
Even as the city’s political leadership debates on whether or not to impose a blanket ban on plastic bags, the plastic manufacturers have come forward with a solution to reduce the menace of the toxic trash.
The All India Plastic Manufacturers Association, a representative body for over 600 plastic manufacturers of Mumbai and 2,000 across the country, has proposed to recycle and nullify the adverse impacts of discarded plastic waste.
Recycling of banned plastic bags (below 50-micron) is also included in the proposal, which has been forwarded to the BMC.
The association representatives who met mayor Shraddha Jadhav recently, have offered to set up recycling centres to treat discarded plastic bags. Although the association is ready to incur all the costs, it wants the BMC to allocate space to get access to the plastic waste generated in the city. It has suggested that some of these centres could be set up in a small portion of the dumping grounds. “This will also facilitate access to segregated waste,” said one member.
The association claims to have access to technologies that can reprocess all forms of plastic into useful products like plastowood, a durable wood-like material.
To improve efficiency of plastic waste collection, the association has suggested that collection of plastic waste in separate bins be made mandatory for all licensed shop owners. It has proposed to set up collection centres where this could be sold. The centres will in turn transport this to the recycling centres. The BMC could also share some of the revenue earned by the sale of the recycled products, it said.
Opposing a complete ban on plastic bags, the association has supported vigorous implementation of the existing provisions. While insisting that alternatives to plastic should be found, Jadhav said that the proposal will be deliberated upon.
Even as the city’s political leadership debates on whether or not to impose a blanket ban on plastic bags, the plastic manufacturers have come forward with a solution to reduce the menace of the toxic trash.
The All India Plastic Manufacturers Association, a representative body for over 600 plastic manufacturers of Mumbai and 2,000 across the country, has proposed to recycle and nullify the adverse impacts of discarded plastic waste.
Recycling of banned plastic bags (below 50-micron) is also included in the proposal, which has been forwarded to the BMC.
The association representatives who met mayor Shraddha Jadhav recently, have offered to set up recycling centres to treat discarded plastic bags. Although the association is ready to incur all the costs, it wants the BMC to allocate space to get access to the plastic waste generated in the city. It has suggested that some of these centres could be set up in a small portion of the dumping grounds. “This will also facilitate access to segregated waste,” said one member.
The association claims to have access to technologies that can reprocess all forms of plastic into useful products like plastowood, a durable wood-like material.
To improve efficiency of plastic waste collection, the association has suggested that collection of plastic waste in separate bins be made mandatory for all licensed shop owners. It has proposed to set up collection centres where this could be sold. The centres will in turn transport this to the recycling centres. The BMC could also share some of the revenue earned by the sale of the recycled products, it said.
Opposing a complete ban on plastic bags, the association has supported vigorous implementation of the existing provisions. While insisting that alternatives to plastic should be found, Jadhav said that the proposal will be deliberated upon.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Daily Times India
Plastic industry supports jail for law-breaking units
Gandhinagar, Jan 5 (IANS) The plastic industry is willing to support any government initiative aimed at evolving a consensus on deterrent punishment for those who manufacture plastic carrybags of less than 20 microns in violation of existing laws.
“We will support a government initiative for a consensus on providing a jail term for such law violators,” Jigish Doshi, chairman of the “Plexpo India 2010″ – India’s largest exhibition for plastic and packaging industry commencing in Ahmedabad Jan 9 – told mediapersons here Tuesday.
Noting the present rules providing for penalty were proving ineffective in deterring those involved in making plastic carry-bags of less than 20 microns, he stressed the need for prison terms as a deterrent.
“We would like to assure the authorities that the associations of plastic manufacturers themselves would help the authorities to identify such errant manufacturers and put them behind the bar,” Doshi said, adding the plastic manufacturers were “equally concerned about the environment as anyone else”.
Doshi contested the claim that any non-biodegradable plastic material was a threat to the environment.
“The problem is only with the very thin carry-bags of less than 20 microns which constitute less than one per cent of the total plastic materials manufactured in the country. Plastic is recycled in great measure with new products being manufactured from the old ones, thus disposal problems are automatically eliminated,” he said.
Advocating replacement of cement and steel components with plastic in many products, he noted plastic manufacturing was comparatively less polluting, non-toxic and caused zero emission.
The 90,000 unit strong national plastic manufacturing industry processes over six million tonnes of polymer per annum while another about 7.5 million tonnes of plastic is re-cycled. “Future demand is projected to increase the processing of polymer to about 20 million tones,” he added.
The four-day exhibition is being organised in association with Plastindia Foundation and the Gujarat government. More than 400 exhibitors from 12 countries like China, Singapore, the UAE, Canada, the US, Italy, Switzerland and South Korea are slated to participate in the exhibition, which is held once every three years.
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