13.38 tonnes of plastic seized since April

After cracking down on flex banners and boards, the BBMP now aims to end the plastic menace in the city.

Two weeks after issuing a warning to traders using plastic, the civic body has cancelled the trade licence of more than 15 shops and collected Rs 13 lakh as a penalty.

The BBMP council had decided to cancel the trade licence of establishments and manufacturers that use plastic. BBMP officials intensified the drive against commercial establishments and cancelled trade licences after the council passed the resolution.

Dr Manoranjan Hegde, Chief Health Officer, BBMP, said officials were conducting checks on a daily basis. “Initially, we gave warnings to shops against using plastic bags. We have cancelled the trade licence of shops that didn’t pay heed,” the officer told DH.

In July alone, the BBMP’s health department seized about nine tonnes of plastic from shops. Between April and July, 13.38 tonnes of plastic was seized and Rs 19.01 lakh was collected in fine.

This apart, the BBMP and the KSPCB launched an awareness drive in all parts of Bengaluru on August 1, warning shopkeepers, manufacturers and people against using plastic bags. Shopkeepers are being instructed to put up notices saying they use only cloth bags.

Hegde, however, conceded that containing the plastic menace is not easy. “While we are cracking down no shops here, plastic is being smuggled in from neighbouring states where there is no such ban. But we will strictly enforce the ban.”