Mumbai: BMC to go easy on restaurants which use plastic, as of now

A shopper is seen carrying a plastic bag in Goregaon on October 19, 2022. File pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which is enforcing a plastic ban, is going easy on restaurants after the Indian Hotel & Restaurant Association (AHAR) requested a meeting with the civic body and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) over the issue of usage of containers and polypropylene bags.

The meeting will be held in the first week of September with officials from the BMC's shops and establishments department.

The BMC started penalising shopkeepers and establishments for using plastic bags and products on August 21. As per a government notification, disposable dishes, cups, plates, glasses, cutlery, straws, stirrers, bowls, containers with plastic coating or plastic lamination and sweet boxes are banned along with other items.

"Many times, even ward-level officers are not fully aware of what items are exactly banned. So we need clarity on the issue," said Rajan Shetty, a representative of AHAR. He added that the BMC promised a meeting with AHAR along with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board in the first week of September.

Another hotelier said that they are ready to implement a plastic ban but there aren't any feasible options available in the market. "When the government imposes a ban, then there should be viable alternatives available in the market to package food products," the hotelier said.

In a message to members of AHAR, Sudhakar Shetty, secretary, wrote that a delegation of the organization met the concerned BMC officials regarding the implementation of the ban on plastic and requested a meeting to better understand what is expected of hoteliers regarding the usage of containers and propylene bags.

AHAR also requested relaxation in the enforcement of stringent action against restaurants till the meeting is held. Sanjog Kabre, deputy municipal commissioner, confirmed that there will be a meeting .

For individuals who violate prohibition for the first time, the penalty is Rs 5,000 in each case.

The penalty structure involves a Rs 10,000 fine for second-time offenders, followed by a Rs 25,000 fine for third-time offenders, along with a three-month prison term.

Aug 21
Day BMC started taking action

What does the ban cover?

Invitation cards, cigarette box coverings, plastic sticks used for balloons, plastic flags, earbuds made of plastic, and ice-cream sticks are banned. All kinds of carry bags (with or without handles) of all thicknesses, non-woven polypropylene bags with a weight less than 60 grams per square metre (GSM), plastic and PVC banners less than 100 microns, and plastic and thermocol used for decoration are also prohibited.