The ban on plastic covers of less than 40 micron has pushed up the price of old newspapers. Raddiwala now forks out Rs 10 to Rs 11 a kilo for which they used to pay Rs 5 to Rs 7 per kg three months ago. The prices of notebooks and magazines have also risen similarly.
Mamta Devi, a housewife said, “In the month of April when I sold my waste papers my raddiwala quoted me Rs 4 per kg. After negotiation the deal was finalised at Rs 6 per kg, but yesterday I sold it at Rs 11 per kg. ” Civic authorities had banned the use of flimsy plastic covers saying they were a veritable hazard to the environment. Unable to use cheap, thin plastic covers less than 40 micron thick, several shopkeepers have substituted them with paper bags.
Hence, the demand for old newspapers and magazines has risen considerably. Paper prices are only bound to increase further, predicts raddiwalas as awareness and implementation of the ban takes root. Rajeev Kumar holding a shop of sale and purchase of old newspapers said, “Business has really picked up pace since last month. Previously, I used to earn around Rs 5,000 a month but now because of great demand for old newspapers, I am able to earn up to Rs 10,000 to 15,000.”
“The plastic cover ban has proved to be good not only for the environment but also for business”, he added. Ramesh Kumar Joshi, a paper trader, in Upper Bazar market said, “The sale of old newspaper envelopes has risen up to 15 to 20 per cent as the ban has forced the shopkeepers to curtail the use of polythene bags. It is speculated that in near future the demand for paper envelope is likely to show an increasing graph as shopkeepers now have to spend more on carry bags. ”
Though the hike in sale of old newspapers has brought smile on the faces of scrap dealers and paper traders but the situation of shopkeepers is not that of merry making, as they have to face problems in dealing with their customers on providing paper bags. Raghunath Prasad, a grocer, in Kanke Road said, “Even if we try to use paper bags, some customers insist on plastic covers because they are stronger and waterproof. Even if we charge Rs 2 against the demand of poly bags still the customers did not stop using it.”