Vendors selling cotton candy and popsicles at Girgaum Chowpatty reported losses due to the plastic ban, as they had to use paper cups instead of plastic ones.
Popsicle vendors Rishi Shivdeshi and Nimesh Sharma said, “The paper cups cost us more than double. Fifty plastic cups cost ₹30, while the same number of paper ones cost ₹120. We haven’t increased our rates for now, but we can’t guarantee that we won’t.”
Mr. Sharma said, “There’s no way we can pack cotton candy or other food without plastic. Now, we’ll have no option but to stop the parcel system, resulting in losses.”
It wasn’t too different at the fish market in Mumbai Central. Parmila Vishnuvaiti, a fish vendor, said, “We’re offering thick cloth bags worth ₹5 to customers who forget to get containers. I am completely in support of the plastic ban. We’re happy thermocol isn’t banned, as we won’t be able to store fish without it.”
Khushboo Sheikh, a customer, added, “I forgot to bring along a container and had to buy the bag. It will be expensive if I have to do this every time, but I believe that if this is a strong step for a better environment, everyone will slowly get used to it.”
