BMC seized 87 kgs of plastic on day one to make Mumbai plastic-free

An insightful plastic awareness campaign took place on 17 August at the Sai International School. The programme led by the BMC commissioner focused on educating students about the key environmental concerns, advocating for zero dumping in the city, avoiding single-use plastics, maintaining clean surroundings and practicing proper waste segregation.

On 22 August, the civic body seized 87 kilograms of single-use plastic. This was the first day of its drive against the prohibited item and collected fines worth 2.95 lakh rupees.

As per a press note, a BMC official said, "the drive was undertaken yesterday as per the environment department's directive in coordination with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and police."

On day one of the drive, civic teams checked 1,159 establishments and found 59 cases of violation of the notification against single-use plastic.

WhatPackaging? readers will recall, a state government notification on 23 March 2018, BMC which holds the authority to take action against individuals employing banned plastic and thermocol items.

BMC has banned the following plastic products:
- Plastic carry bags
- Non-woven polypropylene bags weighing less than 60 grams per square metre
- Plastic and thermocol dishes, bowls, containers, plates, cups, and glasses, as well as cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, drinking straws, trays, and stirrers
- Plastic-coated disposable dishes, cups, plates, glasses, forks, bowls, and containers made of paper or aluminium
- Plastic and thermocol decorations
- Plastic wrappers for sweets boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets
- Earrings with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, and candy canes
- Ice cream sticks
- Plastic or PVC banners (less than 100 microns)