#Plasticban in Maharashtra may apparently flourish China’s green industry, as traders in the state have started importing eco-friendly alternatives to plastic products in bulk from China, to cater to the demands of the consumers. The total revenue of the packaging industry is estimated at Rs 15,000 crore.
Plastic traders are placing orders for China-made wine steerer, butter knife, plates, spoons, forks et cetera that are environment friendly. “We will surely able to replace plastic items with the eco-friendly products from China, for which consumers have to be ready to pay little more. One China-made eco-friendly spoon will cost Rs 2 against earlier 30 paise for a plastic spoon. Similarly, the rate of a China-made eco-friendly plate will be Rs 3 against 50 paise for a plastic plate. The alternatives cost more,” said Rajesh Malde, a plastic trader from Matunga.
Sanjay Shah, president of Flexible Packaging Industry and Traders Association said that plastic recycling plants are active wherever plastic is being used. “In China itself, there are 600 plastic recycling plants, while in India we can hardly see the six plants the country has. This is the irony because of which we are in trouble today without being at fault,” Shah added.
