Kerala OOH and printing businesses are still caught in a cross-fire between the state government authorities and the industry body. Sign & Printing Industry Association (SPIA) informs that the state government is now cognizant of the availability of PVC flex recycling facility at Pioneer Polyleather’s recycling unit in Rudrapur, as was evident in a recent court hearing. Earlier, the Local Self Government Department of Kerala Government had stated that there is no such unit undertaking PVC flex recycling, as its response to an RTI query.

Meanwhile, SPIA asserts that the state government is violating the NGT’s section 9.3 which states that recyclable material is not banned. Moreover, the alternative material suggested by the government, as per SPIA, is not suitable for the business and the environment. “The PE material promoted by the state government is available in 5 ft whereas the machines are suitable for printing on 10 ft material and it consumes more time and energy to print,” says Vijay of SPIA.