Major changes are on the cards concerning the plastic product manufacturing industry. Under the Single-Use Plastic Policy, products below 75 microns are to be banned. This decision will affect around 3500 industrial units and approximately 70000 persons engaged in the trade.
At the stroke of implementation of the policy, disposable dishes, spoons, teacups, ice-cream cups, chocolate wrappers, and water pouches among other similar products are set to disappear from view. Out of 12000 plastic product manufacturing units in Gujarat, around 30% deal with products containing 75 or less micron plastic. It would be imperative for such units to invest a minimum of Rs 5 lacs and above for upgradation of technology in order to stay relevant in the business. Broken already with the adverse economic effects of Corona, these units would have to face new financial challenges due to the policy proposed to be implemented.
In such units where banks have already financed, the NPA rise is imminent. In this situation, industry voices assume that Banks would turn even more conservative in financing for upgradation projects. Though the Government is making announcements about collateral-free loans up to Rs. 1 crore, in reality, Banks are hesitant to finance such loans.
The Urban Development Ministry shall issue the guidelines to act strictly against any aberration in implementing the policy by the sellers and manufacturers for the use of Municipal Corporations and other civic authorities. According to the new policy, even plastic products up to 120 microns shall also be banned by December 2022. The products between 75 to 120 microns are carried bags, spectacle frames, flags, forks, spoons, straws and earbuds, etc.
Much needed in terms of global eco protection policy … wat was loosely imposed post each monsoon flooding now finally after years of painful inflictions on Mother Earth , becomes a blessing and we may breathe few more lungful of purity as well as save the planet from self destruction by some more years… the entrepreneurs who have abused by producing this toxic waste deserves no sympathy, they should have been strictly punished years back in fact !