Mumbai Airport recently announced its decision to go plastic-free. The ban will commence from 2nd October 2019 onwards. The Mumbai International Airport Limited laid down a set of guidelines for this ban in a notice they released, in accordance with the Government of India.
A Mumbai International Airport Ltd spokesperson told Times Of India,
The airport has banned all single-use plastic items including disposable cutlery made up of thermocol (polystyrene or plastic), PET/PETE bottles (less than 200 ml), plastic bags (with/without handle), disposable dish/bowl for food packaging, straws, thermocol items and bubble wraps.
Banned items include: less than 200 ml drinking water PET bottles, plastic mineral water pouches, plastic shopping bags with or without handle, single-use disposable items made of thermocol like cups, plates, saucers, spoons and straws, and plastic and thermocol for decoration purposes.
All these products will be replaced with more environmentally-conscious items, like steel straws in place of plastic straws. Carry bags made out of cloth will be used instead of plastic bags. Cutlery and other items made of corn starch will be put in use.
Citizens will have to pay hefty fines for violating the regulation. For first time offenders, an amount of Rs 5,000 will be fined, the second time offenders will have to pay Rs 10,000. Third time offenders will have to face 3 months imprisonment and Rs 25,000 fine.