The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has approached the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) - the largest milk supplier in the state under the brand name 'Nandini' - to find an alternative to plastic for packing milk.
The city generates more than 4,000 ton of solid waste per day. In this, about 400 ton is plastic which has more milk plastic sachets. There are complaints that these plastic pouches clog stormwater drains and emit chemicals when burnt, causing air pollution.
Speaking to DH, BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad, said: "We want to reduce a large quantity of plastic waste in the city, hence we have requested the KMF to find an alternative option for plastic packets."
The ministry of environment and forest has already banned the use of plastic bags below 40 microns. Later, the state government also banned the sale and manufacture of this. Milk packaging and a few products, however, are allowed to use plastic.
"Though the milk packets can be reused through recycling process most people throw it outside and a few burn them affecting the environment. Hence considering this, the KMF can bring changes in its packaging like using bottles," Prasad added.
