Govt can’t just take away something overnight and not replace it: Businessman

The government should give time to plastic manufacturers and suppliers before banning plastic shopping bags, says a manufacturer and former recycler.
Colorpak Ltd group general manager Srinivasan Santhosh said: “The proper planning period should be prolonged in order for us to come up with ideas where we can minimise the hazards rather than imposing a total ban.
“We do care for the environment and we can find solutions if time is given and on what will be the replacement.”
Santosh said as a manufacturer, the ban will affect his company but not as much as retailers.
“The major concern is for the retailers, what will they replace the plastic shopping bags with tomorrow as PNG has a usual system of bilums not carried inside supermarkets. That is the biggest worry today.
“If we are allowed to have a replacement quite shortly, then that will be the solution.”
Santosh said it was not clear whether Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change John Pundari was banning all forms of plastic bags including those used for packing rice and sugar. “Because they all come in as plastics,” he said.
The minister has given everyone concerned an 18-month grace period before the ban kicks in.