The first day of the exhibition organised by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to provide citizens with alternatives to banned plastic items saw Mumbaikars turning up in large numbers. Many complained about the alternatives being expensive compared to plastic ones, while others were apprehensive about their availability.
The exhibition at NSCI, Worli, which began on Friday and ends on Sunday, was inaugurated by Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar. Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray and State Eenvironment Minister Ramdas Kadam were also present at the event. On display are stalls by private companies and self-help groups with eco-friendly, biodegradable and compostable products like carry bags, hand bags, cutlery, garbage bins, decoration items and sanitary pads.
Anil Agarwal, a cutlery stall owner, said the products were checked by the BMC. “Material used includes sugar cane bagasse, birchwood, areca and paper. I started this business in 2011, but there was no profit till last year, when some international firms like Starbucks started reducing use of plastic cutlery. The plastic ban is a new opportunity for organizations like ours.”
Rebot, a bottle crushing company, had also put up a stall which demonstrated how used plastic bottles are recycled to make products like T-shirts, bags and shoes.
Sarah Tantray, VP marketing of Rebot said, “We first set up our machine outside Churchgate station two years ago after which it became popular. Now we have these machines at more than 15 places in Mumbai. We now have a tie up with the government and Reliance group to set up these machines at metro stations and other places to make it easier for people to access.”
A few self-help women groups who see the plastic ban as an opportunity also had stalls. Shabeena Shaikh, who runs a self-help group, said, “My father makes clothes for children. When he came to know about the ban, he and my mother started making cloth bags. We approached women from our neighbourhood to work for us, and it is now a source of income for them.”
Arpita Kalanuria, who runs a similar group called Strawng, said, “A few months ago, I came up with the idea of making straws out of banana leaves and started approaching women who would help me with it.”
Some dissatisfied
However, the people who attended the exhibition were confused and not satisfied. Rajesh Bijlani, a restarurant owner, said, “The exhibition is a disappointment because the alternatives provided are very expensive and not helpful. I didn’t find any alternative for containers to deliver gravy, soup, liquids.”
Many like Mr. Bijlani complained about alternatives being too expensive. For example, compostable bags made out of corn starch and biodegradable material showcased cost around ₹2.50 each for medium sizes, while plates cost ₹5 to ₹8 each.
Bakul Gandhi, a retailer, said, “There are many people who are completely unaware of this exhibition taking place. Even here, no guidance regarding the ban is being provided. The exhibition should have been held months ago because the manufacturers of these alternative items say that it will take them six to eight weeks to deliver the products. What will we do for these eight weeks? Having such exhibition on the day penalties come in place makes no sense.”
Mamata Bodele, a teacher at Keerti College, said, “I had expected the exhibition to demonstrate ways in which plastic can be recycled and would spread awareness of segregating the dry and wet waste which is required to inform the citizens.”
