Q&A: E-retailers to stop using banned plastics by July 15

What is being done to reduce and prevent the non-biodegradable plastics from ending up at the landfills?
At present, we are not able to prevent non-biodegradable plastics from reaching landfills. But within a few months, we will revamp the solid waste management collection. We will be accepting only segregated garbage and the non-biodegradable plastics will be sent to waste-to-energy plants. It will be shredded, and it will be sent to cement factories, will be used to lay tar and manufacture bricks etc.

Tonnes of plastic is being used in the packaging industry and food industry and online sellers. Why is the focus on small-time street vendors, who really pay a heavy price, while bigger players operate their businesses freely?
The rule is the same for everyone, big or small, online or offline. We have also given online sellers time till July 15 to stop using banned plastics. If they continue to do so after the deadline, we will take strict action against them.

Many malls and retail outlets give people alternatives to plastic. Solid waste management experts say that this is also a form of plastic and is non-biodegradable?
Anything that dissolves in water will decompose in a few days when is it put in soil. If it doesn’t meet these standards, it qualifies as plastic. We are doing everything in our capacity by conducting raids and confiscating plastic. Classifying plastics as biodegradable or non-biodegradable, however, is the duty of the pollution control board. They should not be giving clearance if manufacturers simply put labels on plastic claiming it is biodegradable!