BMC moves to phase out plastic bags with cotton alternatives
Bhubaneswar: An ambitious plan to tackle plastic pollution will be launched by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday on
World Environment Day
.
BMC officials said that as per the plan, they will begin phasing out plastic carry bags, replacing them with cotton alternatives at the Unit II market, where several vendors will participate in the inaugural programme.
The vendors will also take a pledge, "Say no to single-use plastic carry bags".
The campaign aligns with this year's environment day theme, 'Right Up Your Alley — Ending Plastic Pollution'. Instead of merely penalising vendors for using plastic bags, BMC officials will provide cotton bags as substitutes, promoting a sustainable solution to reduce plastic waste.
"The occasion will be used to promote our plan to eliminate plastic carry bags from markets through the gradual promotion of cotton bags during enforcement activities.
On Thursday, some vendors will be provided cotton bags for free on the occasion, but that is only for once. As per our strategy, we will carry out enforcement," said BMC additional commissioner Suvendu Sahu. Additionally, the celebration venue at Unit II will have an awareness kiosk.
According to BMC officials, vendors who are fined for violating the ban on single-use plastic shall be eligible for a one-time issuance of cotton carry bags, equivalent in value to the fine amount.
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If a vendor is penalised Rs 10,000, he will receive 312 cloth bags as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic. "The model not only reinforces compliance but provides a tangible tool for vendors to refrain from offering polythene carry bags," Sahu added.
"A special cleaning drive will also be taken up on Thursday. Mostly, plastic waste will be collected and will be segregated from common municipal solid waste.
Sanitation workers will also be sensitised on how to implement the phasing-out strategy," said BMC assistant commissioner N Ganesh Babu.
In subsequent phases, BMC officials said all vending zones, markets and haats will be equipped with a dedicated kiosk for the sale of cloth bags to promote their use and enable a sustainable approach towards the environment.
Apart from the supply of online products and food items leading to a flood of polythene carry bags, wrappers and multi-layered plastic containers and boxes, vendors in fruit, vegetable and grocery markets predominantly use single-use plastic carry bags.
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