To curb plastic use, state to go after manufacturers

Panaji: As Goa prepares to go all out from January 2020 to curb the use of plastics, the state government has decided to call for expression of interest from agencies which can provide expertise on how to fix extended manufacturer responsibility on those producing packaging made of plastic and other non-recyclable material.
Environment minister Nilesh Cabral said that instead of targeting every company that sells products in plastic packaging, the government is looking to target companies which manufacture packaging and distribute it to different companies.“We are thinking of how to fix manufacturer responsibility. Already one or two states have done it. Haryana is one of them. So there are models. The environment department will soon float an expression of interest to get an agency which can show us how to go out it,” said Cabral.
Officials said that Goa is looking at a self-sustaining model where, for instance, the manufacturer can possibly contribute a small amount to processing of the waste generated from use of their product.
“Instead of targeting 10 different manufacturers of products, we will zero in on those manufacturing the packaging and other items. For instance, 95% of cartons for drinks is manufactured by Tetra, who sells it to different companies to use as packaging. Most of the plastic granules used in products in India are manufactured by Reliance and then supplied to different companies for use in their products. We will fix manufacturer responsibility on such companies,” said Cabral.
In a recent study conducted by Kochi-based Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute on beach litter, Goa topped in the quantity of beach debris in India with 205.8g per sq m of garbage found on its sands.
Plastic litter is mainly made up of items like single-use bags, and containers of edible oils, detergents, beverages, cosmetics, toothpaste, pet bottles, ice cream, etc.
Cabral said that in the first phase of implementation of curbs on plastic in Goa, pet bottles below 500ml quantity, all sachets and plastic bags below 50 microns will be the first to be banned in January 2020.