Bengaluru: Though environmentalists have hailed the ban on plastic, polythene manufacturers and garment sector is now up in arms against it, as they claim it would cripple the industry and lead to large scale job losses, and called for proper disposal of plastic waste.
P. H. Raj Purohit, past president, Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association told Deccan Chronicle that the state government and BBMP should ensure that the plastic waste is treated properly or find an alternative.
“About 97% of plastic can be processed, while 3% can be utilised for asphalting or concrete brick making. BBMP must think of either an alternative to plastic or process the plastic waste in an eco-friendly manner.”
In addition, plastic below 50 microns can be used to extract oil and this would be an asset to government, trade and industries. Banning the plastic is not a solution and it will affect many industries and jobs, Purohit added.
FKCCI President Sudhakar S. Shetty pointed out plastic ban will lead to a GST loss of Rs 500 crore. "The plastic industry has been left in the lurch and it is difficult for them to survive. Many have invested crores of rupees for the plant and machinery and the question is who will bear the loss of their investment?"
According to estimates the state produces plastic worth Rs 50,000 crore, of which 60% can be recycled. The ban has hit the plastic industry very hard and it has led to an annual loss of Rs 20,000 crore, leaving over a lakh employees jobless overnight.
Garment units hit
Garment exports are also suffering because they cannot use transparent plastic bags anymore for packaging. There is a drop in business of grocery stores due to lack of alternative to grocery bags. Shetty said the real issue is how to handle plastic waste. Our municipalities do not follow a good solid waste regime and the plastic industry is bearing the brunt. He called for a relook on plastic ban policy. FKCCI strongly appeals to the government to take sympathetic steps to save the plastic industry till a suitable alternative is initiated by the government.
