Levy green tax on plastic bags, BMC to state
MUMBAI: The BMC will propose to the state government that a ‘green tax’ be levied on the use of plastic carry bags in the city. The proposal, which was tabled before the BMC on Friday, suggests many other measures as a remedy to the menace. The tax would be levied on plastic bottle manufacturers and consumers. No decision was, however, taken on the proposal.
Worldwide, a tax or some sort of a levy on the use of plastic carry bags, is usually seen as an effective deterrent to the menace. On January 1, Washington DC announced a 5% levy on its residents on the use of each plastic bag. Another country to have adopted similar measures is Ireland, which in 2002 passed a tax on plastic bags, charging 33 cents per bag from customers.
Though the BMC has not yet suggested the quantum of this tax, the final decision will now rest with the state that will arrive at a figure and make necessary changes to the Maharashtra Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Ordinance, 2006.
The responsibility to collect the tax would lie with retailers and manufacturers. The amount will be collected on behalf of the corporation on a routine basis.
After being passed by the civic house, the proposal will be forwarded to the state government for final approval. Additional municipal commissioner R A Rajeev said the current laws have provisions for penalising retailers, shopkeepers and street vendors, but they do not talk about a tax or levy.
“This move we have suggested is progressive as compared to plastic laws in other states,” he said.
At present, plastic bags that are less than 50 microns thick are banned in the city, but this hasn’t been very effective in the absence of stringent norms for manufacturers and users of such bags. As a result, plastic bags continue to choke city drains resulting in flooding, especially during the monsoon.