Recyclable Plastic products manufacturers struggle to get permissions to operate-OxBig News Network

Despite receiving approval from the Madras High Court to operate, companies manufacturing recyclable plastic products in Tamil Nadu are still unable to obtain permission, according to officials from the Tamil Nadu, Pondy Plastic Association (TANPPA). “In early 2024, a special interim order was issued which said that Tamil Nadu government should immediately grant permission to companies manufacturing recyclable plastic products. And according to that order, they also said that if companies manufacturing recyclable plastic products in Tamil Nadu apply for registration with the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, they should immediately grant permission,” said G.Sankaran, President of TANPPA.

“But unfortunately even after 11 months, the Pollution Control Board is still not granting consent to companies that have applied for a consent order, in this way the small entrepreneurs are being harassed by the Pollution Control Board,” he added.

He then pointed out that 95% of the manufacturers and traders in the plastic sector are making recyclable plastic products. And not even 1% of recycled plastic products go to the garbage collection center. “The Chennai Corporation says this. We had asked for some details regarding plastics under the Right to Information Act, and they have stated this in the explanation they gave,” Mr.Sankaran said. He requested the government to intervene and help thousands of entrepreneurs and workers who are dependent on this business.