Kerala Assembly flags perils of using ‘paper cups’ as substitute for plastic food containers

The Kerala Legislative Assembly on Friday highlighted the perils posed by the growing use of misleadingly named “paper cups” containing imperceptible microplastics and toxic inner coatings. 

Janata Dal (Secular) MLA Mathew T. Thomas drew Minister for Local Bodies M.B. Rajesh’s attention to the health hazards and environmental harm posed by the widespread use of such items, including those used for packing hot takeaways from fast food eateries.

He said a large segment of businesses, which cater food at social events, including weddings and conferences, prefer cheap and easily disposable “paper cups” over conventional tableware.

Mr Thomas said the inner coating of such paper cups contained heavy metals and microplastics. “People unknowingly ingest the hazardous elements when they consume hot beverages or food contained in such vessels”, he added.

Mr Thomas also noted piles of plastic cups, bowls, plates, and carry bags blighting parks, beaches, gardens, and public spaces, burdening municipal workers, especially during weekends, national holidays, and festivals. He said plastic posed a threat to the marine environment and imperilled the livelihood of lakhs of fisher families and contaminated the daily catch.

Non-biodegradable

Mr Thomas said that, contrary to popular belief, “so-called paper cups”, widely used as a substitute for plastic cups, were non-biodegradable. “It takes at least 100 years for a paper cup to decompose”, he added. 

Speaker A.N. Shamseer noted that microplastics and heavy metals, including cadmium in paper cups, could contaminate mothers’ milk, potentially compromising the long-term health of babies.

Awareness campaign

Mr Rajesh announced an awareness campaign at the panchayat level to encourage the use of glass and steel utensils and tableware over plastic ones, especially at events attended by more than 100 persons, as a starting point. He said Kerala should shed its “use-and-throw” culture.

 He said knotty rules, including the Centre’s exemption for the sale of one-time use plastic utensils and carry bags with a requisite licence, diluted the attempt of local self-government to ban plastic use in entirety. 

He said the government had collected ₹8.5 crore this fiscal in fines slapped on those who sell banned plastic utensils and carry bags. The State has formed enforcement taskforces in all local bodies to enforce the “green protocol”. 

Mr Rajesh said the green protocol would govern all public and social events. “The government will fine polluters. It will also launch public campaigns, starting from the school level, to inculcate civic sense and discourage littering”, he added.