The ban notification has defined ?Plastic? as any material which contains as an essential ingredient a high polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, vinyl, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene resins, poly styrene (thermacol), non-oven polypropylene, multi layered co extruder, poly propylene, poly terephthalate, poly amides, poly methyl methacrylate, plastic micro beads, etc.

The ban covers the whole State of Maharashtra for manufacture, usage, transport, distribution, wholesale and retail sale and storage and import of the following products:

• Plastic bags
• Disposable plastic items like spoons, forks, cups, glasses, containers
• Disposable thermacol items like plates, glasses, bowls, containers
• Non-woven polypropylene bags
• Plastic pouches for storing liquid
• Plastic wrap used for packaging or storing products
• Plastic packaging for food items
• Plastic and thermacol decorations

This ban is applicable to every person, body of person, government and non-government organization, educational institution, sport complex, clubs, cinema halls and theaters, marriage/celebration halls, industrial units, commercial institutions, offices, pilgrimage organisers, pilgrimages and religious places, hotels, dhabas, shopkeepers, malls, vendors or sellers, traders, manufacturers, caterer, wholesalers, retailers, stockiest, businessmen, hawkers, salesmen, transporters, market, producers, stalls, tourist places, forest & reserved forest, eco-sensitive areas, all sea beaches, all public places, bus stands, railway stations, says the notification.

The Maharashtra government have exempted the following from the plastic ban:

• Plastic bags or plastic used for packaging of medicines;
• Compostable plastic bags or material used for plant nurseries, horticulture, agriculture, handling of solid waste.
• Plastic and plastic bags for export purpose only, in the Special Economic Zone and export-oriented units.
• The plastic used for handling of solid waste (for example garbage used at homes).
• Plastic cover or plastic to wrap material used at the manufacturing stage or is an integral part of manufacturing.
• Food grade virgin plastic bags not less than 50-micron thickness used for packaging of milk.

Apart from Maharashtra, Bengaluru, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan has plastic ban imposed.

Following are the 11 states have partial bans on the use of plastic bags around sites of religious, historical or natural importance, or during the pilgrimage season Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

This is indeed a welcome step to protect our environment and placate the effects of pollution.