More clarity is needed on which plastic items are banned and which are not, the plastic manufacturers said after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had mentioned that he wants to make the country free of single-use plastic by 2022. The manufacturers also pointed out that action taken by government authorities so far brought many plastic units to a standstill. They reiterate their commitment to recycling plastics but the country needs to put in infrastructure for collecting plastics and the society needs to cultivate a habit of not littering anywhere. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day Speech from the Red Fort this year announced that India would be made free of single-use plastic (SUP). Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules 2016 said that plastic material up to 51 microns are banned. Following the announcement by the PM, municipal corporations had started raiding plastic manufacturers, traders, shops using plastic bags. Hefty fines were also imposed on these businessmen. Meanwhile, a sizable number of eateries and shops stopped using plastic items like carrying bags, plastic spoons, and forks and replaced them with alternatives. However, businesses were still not clear on which plastic items were banned and which are allowed. The trade and industry organisations had sought clarity from Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, state government and Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB). "However, we have still not received any reply from the authorities. When they themselves are not clear about what is banned and what is not, how can you blame trade and industry? It is the duty of the government to set up the infrastructure to collect plastic waste. The industry is ready to recycle," said Hiren Gandhi, Chairman of Food and Dairy Committee of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). Now trade and industry expect the penal actions will stop as a two-year window has been provided and meanwhile, the industry will have a time-bound action plan to phase-wise reduce production and use of plastic. Bijal Patel, Mayor of AMC said that the issue will be discussed in the Standing Committee. Amul Bhatt, Chairman of Standing Committee told, now since the deadline has been mentioned, more clarity is expected. "If the trade bodies now approach us, we will reply to them," said Bhatt. Durgesh Buch, President of GCCI said that the apex trade and industry body will again approach the authorities for legal clarity and to ensure that there is no high-handedness on the part of authorities. Meanwhile, Shailesh Patel, President of the Gujarat Plastic Manufacturers Association (GSPMA) said that it is a wrong notion that plastic is causing pollution. He emphatically said that even plastic of 51 microns can be recycled. "The problem with these carry bags is that it is light, so rag-pickers do not get adequate remuneration, which is based on the weight. Moreover, we have a culture of littering. We need to stop this culture, have adequate infrastructure for the collection of plastic waste. The industry is ready to recycle. Plastic up to seven microns can be recycled," Patel told DNA. WORRY PERSISTS CENTRE VOWS TO MAKE COUNTRY PLASTIC FREE BY ‘22 Manufacturers relieved with 2-yr window Said committed to recycling of plastics Await govt notification for more clarity What the law says? Plastics upto 51 microns are banned Problems with plastics It chokes of drainage lines, pollutes water bodies Causes harm to aquatic animals WHAT INDUSTRY SAYS?

Stay updated with all the Ahmedabad Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.