The Hindu Business Line : `Plastics threat blown out of proportion'

THE threat posed to the environment by the use of plastic items has been blown out of proportion with the right issues remaining unaddressed, according to the President of the Indian Plastics Federation (IPF), Mr J.C. Agarwal.

Addressing a press conference, Mr Agarwal said that the real threat came from littering and not quite the use of plastic items. "Problems created by the irresponsible activity of the municipality were being thrust upon the plastics industry," he explained.

With the elections round the corner, the formulation of the national policy for petrochemicals was likely to be delayed.

He said that the Union Ministry for Chemicals and Fertilisers had already circulated the draft policy paper inviting comments. "The IPF had already made its submission - but now the electioneering process makes any policy decision announcement difficult," he said.

Mr Agarwal said that the endeavour of this policy was to increase per capita consumption of plastics from 4 kgs to 12 kgs to help India emerge as the third biggest consumer in the world by 2010 (it is now ninth), introduce regulation on minimum thickness of carry bags which come in contact with food products and constitute `plastic development council' to increase productivity.

Mr Amar Seth of IPF said that the association is organising a national seminar - `Plastiscope' which will focus on building competencies for the units operating in this region. He said "the eastern part of the country has missed out in terms of applications, innovations, technologies and industry-best practices."

More Stories on : Plastics | Environment

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page