With the extensive use of non-biodegradable plastic carry bags causing health hazards, the Mandya City Municipal Council is drawing up plans to stop their sale/use, B. Siddaraju, president of the CMC, has said.
He was speaking after inaugurating a public awareness programme on the ill-effects of using plastic bags, near the old vegetable market here on Friday.
As the CMC had already banned the sale and distribution of plastic bags of less than 40 microns in the city, it had now decided to strictly enforce the ban order, he said.
Mr. Siaddaraju has asked the people to use bags/containers made of biodegradable materials.
People should avoid using polythene bags.
The CMC is planning to initiate some measures against non-biodegradable plastic carry bags and the issue has already been discussed with Deputy Commissioner M.N. Ajay Nagabhushan, he said.
“The CMC’s aim is to completely ban the sale and use of plastic bags of less than 40 microns. We will implement the project in December,” Mr. Siddaraju said.
The awareness programme had been organised by Parisara, a social organisation, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and the Mandya CMC. Vice-president of the CMC Chandrakala Shivaram, standing committee president T.K. Ramalingaiah, municipal councillor Chandrukumar, Assistant Environment Officer Meenakshi, Environmental Officer N.S. Sneha, and members of the Parisara K.T. Hanumantha were present.
Mr. Siddaraju and others distributed bags made of biodegradable materials to about 200 people on the occasion. Later, Mr. Siddaraju and others removed garbage from a road near the venue of the programme.
