Mumbai Plastic Ban: McDonald’s, Starbucks Penalised for Violation

The BMC has collected Rs 2.95 lakh as fine since the plastic ban was imposed.

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McDonald's, Starbucks and Burger King, among many other food outlets, have been fined for violating the new ban on single-use plastic in Mumbai on Tuesday, 26 June, reported NDTV.

According to PTI, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has collected Rs 2.95 lakh as fine in the wake of the plastic ban in the last three days, even as the trader community said the government's move has hit them hard.

According to NDTV, a team of 250 officials, wearing blue uniforms and dubbed as Mumbai’s “anti-plastic squad”, has been deployed to carry out inspections of restaurants and shops across Mumbai.

The BMC inspected over 8,000 shops in the city since the statewide ban on the use of plastic items, including carry bags and thermocol, came into effect on 23 June.

Deputy Municipal Commissioner Nidhi Choudhari said the city civic body inspected 8,061 shops and found banned items in 59 outlets. She told PTI that most shops have switched to alternatives of plastic.

She told NDTV that 132 premises, including outlets of Burger King, McDonald's and Starbucks, have been issued penalties. A branch of Godrej Nature's Basket, a high-end supermarket chain, has also been penalised, she said.

“Support Plastic Ban, But Not the Implementation

Many traders support the plastic ban but have issues with the way it is being implemented.

An organisation of textile manufactures claimed that garment shops were the worst hit by the ban.

"We understand its ecological significance and, therefore, we support the ban on plastic, but not the way it is being implemented," Rajiv Singal, the trustee of Bharat Merchant Chamber, told PTI.

It should not have been implemented during the monsoon when people need plastic bags more. Also, the traders for whom plastic materials are indispensable should have been exempted from the ban, Singal added.

Indian Bakery Association’s President KP Irani told PTI that certain products cannot remain crisp if they are wrapped in non-plastic covers.

"Everyone knows that products like khari and toast (confectioneries) get dampened on coming in contact with air. Plastic covers are essential to maintain the crispness of these snacks. We cannot sell these snacks by wrapping them in paper," he said.

Irani demanded that they be allowed to use plastic covers and the civic body may charge them for its recycling.

(With inputs from PTI and NDTV)