All-party meet in Kerala backs ban on use of PVC flex for advertising

An all-party meeting on the use of PVC flex for advertisements convened in Thiruvananthapuram on May 8 by the Kerala Government concluded with a consensus that there is merit in imposing a ban on the use of PVC flex for advertising in the state. However, the participants also took cognizance of the threat to the livelihoods of people engaged in the PVC manufacturing industry, once the ban is enforced.

The Hindu reported that K T Jaleel, Minister for Local Self-Governments, Government of Kerala, K.T. Jaleel, who presided over the meeting, said a final decision on the ban would be taken after assessing the feedback to the proposal put forth by a committee constituted to evaluate the impact of the ban. The committee has recommended a ban on single-use PVC flex that produced toxic fumes when burned. 

The committee has proposed a switch to polyethylene (PE)-based flex that is recyclable and environment-friendly. The panel found that substituting PVC flex with PE flex would help to retain jobs in the sector.

The committee has also proposed that the printed material should bear the name of the unit, the printing number and expiry date. The printer would be required to take back the flex from the advertiser after use and hand it over to the material supplier for recycling. 

The report seeks to make it mandatory for advertisers to return the flex to the printing unit within three days after use, failing which they would be required to pay penalty to the local body.