Plastic manufacturers' 'awareness walk' today

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, AUG. 9. The Tamilnadu Plastics Manufacturers' Association (TAPMA) is taking its case to the public through an `awareness walk' from near the Periyar statue on Anna Salai to the State Guest House in Chepauk on Friday.

Billed as a show of strength, those associated with plastics manufacturing and trade are attaching considerable importance to the walk in the hope that it would deter the State Government from banning plastics in many spheres.

Their apprehension about an impending ban stems from reports about the State Government contemplating on a legislation to ban one-time-use plastics which, according to them, would bring within its fold a wide range of products from carry bags to blood/urine bags to feeding bottles. Already, several local bodies have passed resolutions to the effect.

All the plastics manufacturing units and traders have also decided to close their shops on Friday in support of their plea. At the end of the walk, a delegation of the industry would present a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa.

The industry in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry which, according to a census conducted in July 2000, had an estimated 2,200 units, is in favour of constitution of an experts committee to go into all the issues.

On Thursday, the debate on plastics and environment continued with Toxics Link, an NGO working in the area of environment protection, countering the advertisement released by the TAPMA that the problems associated with plastics were more than mere littering.

Countering that manufacturing of plastics causes no pollution to environment, use of plastic products poses no health hazard and there is no release of dioxin during the manufacture, Toxics Links said the industry claims were ``irresponsible and a departure from truth''. Several hazardous substances were used in manufacture, and workers were exposed to toxic vapours. There was also leaching of chemicals from plastic wastes.

At the same time, it says, ``this is not to say that all plastics are bad and dangerous. Plastic can be replaced with eco-friendly alternatives. Of course, these alternatives will not have all the benefits of plastics, but they are all non-hazardous and bio- degradable''.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) sources say that it has sought time from many schools for taking its mobile exhibition on alternatives to plastics to the children.

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Section  : Southern States
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