
Can we emerge from the chaos? — Govt bans plastic sachets for gutka, tobacco — With the Supreme Court taking an active position on use of plastics for packaging, the environment ministry banned the use of plastic in packaging of tobacco goods on Monday 7 February 2011. The ministry’s order, which also bans the free distribution of plastic bags by shopkeepers to their customers, is likely to most deeply affect the gutka, pan masala and other tobacco products industries that are sold in small sachets. The environment ministry’s decision came as part of new rules under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 to regulate use of plastic waste.