MPCB prepares memo for discussion in cabinet
IMC ignores as hotels, shops use recycled plastics
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 26 2011: Even though the Imphal Municipal Council gave restriction orders in using polythene bags less than 40 microns by shops and hotels in the state, IMC itself is turning a blind eye in the matter even though hotels and shops in the state are using such polythene without any restraints.

The Ministry of Environment and Forest in a notification on February 4 had restricted using and selling recycled and compostable polythene carry bags less than 40 microns across the state under the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011 .

According to the new notification, all polythene carry bags to be used by the shopkeepers should equal to the IS 14534:1998 standard and the colour should be white or one of the colours approved by the Indian Standard.

Plastic packaging of tobacco products are also restricted under the new rules.

The responsibility of reviewing the manufacturing and recycling of plastic carry bags was handed over to the Manipur Pollution Control Board under the Plastic Waste Rules 2011.The responsibility to collect the plastic waste and proper dumping of them lies with the Imphal Municipal Council.

Manipur Pollution Control Board had instructed the Imphal Municipal Council to restrict the uses of the banned plastic carry bags and inspect such practices in the Imphal City on March 23 this year.

Even though the MPCB had instructed the IMC to control the uses of such bags, IMC is not taking up any steps to implement the restrictions ruled by the recent notification.

On the other hand, people are also not well aware of the health hazards cause by the thin polythene carry bags.

An official of the Manipur Pollution Control Board told Hueiyen Lanpao that the black coloured polythene carry bags are most dangerous to the health of people who use it among the bags of other colours.

One can easily know the fact by simply rubbing such black plastic bags on their hand which produce an allergic effect.

Black plastic bags are recycled from plastic bags which were left as wastes in garbage dumps for years.

Since the bacteria and other germs which harboured the plastic wastes could not be completely wash off or disinfected, there is high possibility of contracting diseases if one consumes food items wrapped in such black coloured polythene bags.

The responsibility of controlling the uses of recycled plastics is actually for the Imphal Municipal Council.

However, MPCB is organizing various awareness programmes to create awareness of the health hazards and chemical effects of the recycled plastic bags to the public under the aegis of MPCB Chairman E Dwijamani.

The board is also issuing notices to various shops and hotels in all the districts of the state to stop using such recycled plastic bags.

Since most of the recycled plastic bags are being imported from South East Asia countries through Moreh, MPCB is also planning to curb the import of such plastics by joining hands with concern DCs and SPs.

Formation of a State Level Advisory Board to curb the uses of such recycled polythene bags is under processed, the official said.

Moreover the board has also instructed the PWD to use such plastic wastes in black topping roads.

However PWD is not taking up any initiatives to the instruction of the board.

The board has also prepared a cabinet memo to put up the matter in the state cabinet for discussion, the official said.

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