After imposing a ban on the use of plastic carry bags in the state, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) has now asked different municipalities to have their own plastic recycling units. Moreover, airports, railways and shopping malls will have to make arrangements for collection of plastic wastes and send them to plastic recycling units. A circular in this regard had already been issued by the state environment department on 31 July this year and sent to the general managers of Eastern and South Eastern Railways, NSC Bose Airport, municipal commissioners of the Kolkata and Howrah Municipal Corporations and the president of the Indian Plastics Federation. The notice further states that all municipalities and municipal corporations are to issue directions to shopping malls, airports and fast food centres for the collection of plastic waste. The plastic waste collected shall be sent to various recycling units authorised by the WBPCB. Moreover, those in charge of shopping malls, airports and railway stations shall be held accountable for delivery of used plastic waste to authorised recycling units. Non-compliance with these provisions will invite penal action under Environment (Protection) Act 1986 that includes litigation, imposition of fine and imprisonment. The notice also asks municipalities to set up their own recycling units within their municipal areas. The Indian Plastics Federation will help municipalities set up the required recycling units. The municipalities will also carry out a feasibility study, taking into consideration the quantum of plastic waste generated in a particular municipal area, by December 2008. Mr Biswajit Mitra, law officer, WBPCB, pointed out that Kalyani Municipality and Chandernagore Municipal Corporation are carrying out pilot projects in this regard. Moreover, WBPCB will also see to it that plastic recycling units that at present are lying defunct in the state be made operational. He added that the Chandernagore Municipal Corporation (CMC) has already proposed the setting up of a recycling unit within its jurisdiction.