Plastic ban: paper bags in short supply,consumers feel the pinch

“Shops and vendors do not supply paper bags,so we were forced to carry vegetables and other items in our hands. The other option is to take our own bags to shops,but it is not possible. It is all right to ban plastic bags,but there should be an increase in the supply of paper bags,” said Manoj Patil,a customer.

The spin-off effect is already evident. Retail stores say that consumers now avoid making bulk purchases. “It is affecting our business. It is not economical for us to give consumers paper bags as it is more expensive. We have noticed a reduction in the number of items purchased by each person. Many pick up only one or two items— things that they can carry easily,” said a retail shop owner.

A retail chain employee said they had introduced points system as an incentive for consumers who get their own cloth bag to shop.

Plastic bag manufacturers said the PMC ban has not had any effect on its sales,and said the ban was illegal.

“The demand for plastic bags has not reduced significantly. We have registered only 10 per cent reduction,and that is because of the slowdown. If PMC has to announce a ban,it must first give a few months’ notice to the manufacturers and then ask the dealers. It has done nothing of the sort. We have therefore,called the move illegal,” said Vinod Mehta,a plastic bag manufacturer.

But PMC calls the ban entirely legal. “We have issued the ban on plastic bags according to the Maharashtra Non-Biodegradable Garbage Control Ordinance 2006 which does not permit plastic below 50 micron. It is not necessary for us to issue notices,” said Suresh Jagtap,deputy commissioner,PMC.