BMC on Friday proposed a ‘green tax’ on manufacturers and vendors distributing goods contained in non-degradable material like plastic bottles, tetra and gelatin packs and metallic plastic.
Soft drinks and bottled mineral water could become costlier. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday proposed a ‘green tax’ on manufacturers and vendors distributing goods contained in non-degradable material like plastic bottles, tetra and gelatin packs and metallic plastic.
The new tax has been included in a proposal for amendments in provisions of the Maharashtra Plastic Bags (Carry bags) (Production and Use) Rule, 2006.
The BMC justified the new levy, stating that an increase in the use of such non-degradable material for packaging perishable commodities, and their unregulated disposal, was burdening the solid waste management infrastructure. The levy will not be applicable to manufacturers and vendors who devise their own ways to dispose of the waste material.
Increasing the ambit of plastics classified as non-degradable waste, the BMC proposed the inclusion of tetra and gelatin packs, metallic plastic, and items made from thermocol in the category of non-biodegradable waste.
Municipal commissioner SS Kshatriya put forth the proposal for the amendment before the civic general body and it is likely to be discussed in the coming weeks.
The civic body also proposed a complete ban on the use of recycled plastic bags. It recommended a blanket ban of the use of plastic and thermocol cups and plates, which are used in day-to-day life, arguing that they were environmentally unfriendly. A green tax has also been proposed on thermocol used for packing fragile products like electronic goods.
Getting stricter with those violating rules, the BMC will levy a fine of Rs10 to Rs100 on users of banned plastic. A fine of Rs25,000 and a three-month jail term has also been proposed for manufacturers. Current provisions include a fine of Rs5,000. Manufacturers will also have to seek permission before setting up plants.
Apart from carry bags, bags used to pack groceries and similar commodities have also been brought under the act’s ambit. On the lines of the Himachal Pradesh model, it has been proposed to phase out thin plastic (50 to 100microns) gradually. Once the proposal is cleared at the civic level, it will go to the state government.
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