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Citizens protest against mall for using styrofoam cutlery

Last Updated 01 November 2015, 20:17 IST

 Residents of Whitefield and surrounding areas, on Sunday, protested against the management of Phoenix Market City, Whitefield, for using styrofoam cutlery in the food court.

The protesters argued that unlike steel cutlery, styrofoam is hazardous and causes environment pollution.

The protest that took place in the evening saw more than 50 volunteers undertake a signature campaign and create awareness among the mall visitors on how styrofoam cutlery can lead to health issues and cause environment damage.

As a sign of protest, the volunteers carried their own plates and asked the staff of the food court to serve food  on their plates.

Bindhu Vinod, a volunteer and member of Naanu Nagarika organisation said that they had earlier requested the management to stop using styrofoam cutlery and shift to sustainable options like steel cutlery or bio-degradable disposables.

She added, “However, the management continues to use styrofoam. It contains toxic chemicals like paraffin, benzene and phthalates. Moreover, these chemicals threaten human health and the reproductive system apart from posing danger to the environment.”

About 750 signatures were collected during the campaign wherein people pledged their support towards the cause. Members from Kasamukta Bellandur also took part in huge numbers and protested at the mall.

Earlier inspection

They said that Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had earlier conducted an
inspection and took the management to task. “The management sought some time, but till date no action has been taken by them to replace the styrofoam with environment-friendly disposables. Often dumped into the environment as litter, the material can also choke animals and clog their digestive system,” Vinod added.

Leaches into foodMember of Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT), Malini Parmar, said, “Most of the malls are using it, unfortunately, and the cutlery leaks chemicals into our food when we consume it. This is worse than plastic and there is no facility in the City to recycle it.”


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(Published 01 November 2015, 20:17 IST)

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