Singasandra ward joins plastic 'ban'wagon

Taking a cue from a few other wards, residents of Singasandra, with the BBMP’s support, launched a plastic bag ban campaign on Sunday. While the implementation will begin on April 2, the campaign will include an array of awareness programmes among the public and interaction with traders.

More than 100 volunteers representing various pockets of Ward 191 (Singasandra) including members of resident welfare associations (RWAs) took out a walkathon requesting traders and citizens to abide by the plastic ban.

They distributed pamphlets and stickers with information on what is covered under the government’s plastic ban and about alternatives to plastics. Later, 50-60 residents took out a bike rally to create awareness.

Citizen activists said the decision to implement the ban was taken in January when the neighbouring HSR Layout ward launched the plastic bag ban movement.

“However, it took time for us to bring all the volunteers and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials together. Mixing of waste on lanes, vacant sites and improper waste management at KCDC landfill in our area prompted us to do something for banning plastics. We have already met traders and 90% of them are ready to support us. But they need time to switch over to alternatives,” said Bindhu Karthick, a volunteer.

She said their next agenda was to ensure all citizens follow the ‘two bins, one bag’ system ordered by the High Court.

Sevamrutha Aradhya, a core volunteer said that from April 3, the Palike vigilance department and volunteers will check to see if the ban is in place and fine violators.

“If traders continue to defy the ban on plastics, then their trade licences will be cancelled. Gradually, the ban would be enforced on residents as well,” he added.

BBMP engineers from Bomanahalli zone, under which Singasandra falls, said local councillors from the zone have been told by higher officials to make alternatives like cloth bags, jute and paper bags easily accessible to public.