JOIN USThe Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is pinning hopes on plastic ban to substantially reduce the garbage problem in the City.
However, the plastic waste generated by the packaging industry may defeat the objective of the ban. With only five days left for the ban to come into force, the BBMP officials are sure that the garbage problem may decline. As per the government notification, not only there will be a ban on polythene carry bags of all types, plastic plates, cups and plastic sheets spread over the dining tables at events and ceremonies, will also be banned. Manufacturing and transporting of plastic bags will also be banned.
Kalpana Kar of Solid Waste Management Round Table has welcomed the move, saying that it would certainly have a positive effect.
Manohar H N, a resident of HMT Layout, said, the plastic generated by the packaging industry would defeat the purpose. Ravi Kumar S, a solid waste management expert, said that there should be a mechanism to deal with the plastic material used by the packaging industry for chips, snacks, biscuits, flour, oil, ghee and other food products.
“Government should ensure that the packaging industry uses eco-friendly material. If proper alternative is not found to minimise the plastic generated by the packaging industry, the exercise will be futile,” added Ravi Kumar.