Going green: Plastic-free zone coming closer to Pune

It seems that Pune is inching towards goal of a plastic-free city. Following suit of its neighbouring Lonavla Municipal Council (LMC), the Talegaon Dabhade Municipal Council (TMC) has initiated plastic ban in the area.  Plastic ban earned rich dividends as the hill station managed to avert major flooding due to plastic menace which it had earlier experienced.

The council has started the process of seizing plastic bags from vendors, traders and shopkeepers.  Unlike LMC, TMC has appointed a special squad comprising three employees to observe plastic ban in the city. TMC president Suresh Dhotre announced that the plastic ban has been enforced and the people have to follow the rule to avoid strict action under the law. 

A draft of the action plan to raise awareness about the plan was made in a meeting held recently.

Even though there are no precise statistics about the plastic waste generation, but as per the local municipal body, the majority of garbage generated in the city is from plastic waste instead of wet garbage which leads to clogging of drains and can lead to flooding during monsoon season.

Resident speak

Due to the pleasant climate, Talegaon Dabhade is becoming favoured second home destination for home buyers. During vacations, visitors start floating the town. In this respect, it is a good 

- Vinaya Keskar, local resident

What the rule says

According to the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, use of plastic materials in sachets for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala is banned. Foodstuff will not be allowed to be packed in recycled plastics plastics and plastic carry bags shall not be less than 40 microns in thickness. 

The municipal authority shall be responsible for setting up, operations and coordination of the waste management system and for performing the associated functions, namely- to ensure safe collection, storage, segregation, transportation, processing and disposal of plastic waste and no damage is caused to the environment during this process. To ensure setting up of collection centres for plastic waste involving manufacturers. Open burning of plastic waste is not permitted.

Implementation

Phase 1: TMC will be seizing the plastic bags from shopkeepers, hawkers, small business units etc. In the first few days of the drive, 25 kg of plastic bags have been collected.

Phase 2: TMC has proposed to take action and collect fines as per the law. The aim is to make the city plastic free city by imposing the rule of prohibiting usage of below 50 microns plastic in all commercial establishments.

Rs500 to Rs5,000

is the fine limit proposed on use of use of plastic bags beyond the permitable limit