Don't be surprised if plastic cutlery starts disappearing from restaurants — at least in Ahmedabad.
Following a dictate by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), use of plastic cutlery like knives, spoons, forks, straws, cups, and glasses will be soon a thing of past in local eateries. While players are ready to follow the dotted line, they say that parcel business will be drastically affected since disposable items are used for food packaging.
While no timeline has been mentioned, many units have already stopped using or are phasing out plastics. As per sources, it is expected that plastic cutlery menace will end by October 2 — the birth anniversary of Gandhiji — which will also mark the launch of a cleanliness drive.
A communication by the AMC to restaurants and eateries has urged them to switch the above plastic items with products made of bio-degradable or compostable materials. It also suggested that products approved by the local Pollution Control Board should be used. It also cautioned the players that, in the coming days, AMC will act stringently for the effective implementation of the ban on single-use plastic.
While bio-plastics and other renewable products are suggested as a substitute of plastics, industry players say that even the authorities in the civic body admit that availability of bioplastics is not adequate in the country. "It will take a few years for the plastic industry to convert to biodegradable resins. At present, these items are imported from abroad," said a letter by Hotel and Restaurant Association - Gujarat to the civic body. It also cautioned that not all materials projected as substitutes of plastics are more eco-friendly than plastic.
It has also suggested that food plates, food containers used for parcel, should be allowed as some of these are reused by the customer. Rohit Khanna, owner of K Bobs said that if food packs are banned, parcel segment will be hit hard and many of the restaurants survive primarily on parcel business. He also suggested that the ban on all plastic materials should be reconsidered as certain products will be required. "A thin cling is used on the packages to prevent cross-contamination and is used worldwide. It has no alternative," Khanna told DNA.
Points to Note
- Banned Items: Plastic carry-bags, single use spoons, forks, knives, straws, and plastic cups and glasses used for tea, coffee, juices and other drinks
- Relook Sought: Plastic trays for lunch packs, plastic containers for parcel, plastic films to cover food items to prevent overflow, plastic boxes or pouches for chutneys
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