The associations of Punjab Plastic Carry Bags Manufacturers’ Association on Friday sought a relaxation in ban on use of high thickness bags.

Taking up the issue with the state’s Local Government Minister Brahm Mohindra, the Association of Plastic Carry Bags Manufacturers, both making carry bags from plain plastic and those making it from non-woven material, on Friday, urged the Government to relax the Government’s 22016 orders through which the manufacturing, stocking, distribution, recycling, sale and use of plastic carry bags including non-woven plastic carry bags was banned in the State. 

During the meeting, the Principal Secretary (Local Government) A Venu Prasad and the state Environment and Climate Change director KS Pannu were also present.

The Non-Woven Carry Bags Association made a plea that the non-woven bags are not plastic bags, hence, they might not be equated with plastic carry bags. The Association, in support of their claim, made a representation with the facts that non-woven fabric is a technical textile, though made from polypropylene, and it is recyclable, water and air permeable, non-toxic and is safe in contact with foodstuff, pharmaceutical and drinking water.

The Plastic Carry Bags Manufacturers’ Association stressed that high thickness plastic carry bags are recyclable and are reused by downstream industries and hence do not adversely affect the environment.  They pleaded that the Government may allow manufacturing and sale of more than 100 mm thickness plastic carry bags.Mohindra assured the Association that the government will sympathetically consider their demand.  At the same time, he instructed the officers present in the meeting to study the practicability and legality of their demands while underlining that the Manufacturers have invested huge amount in Punjab and were giving employment to thousands.