Illegal usage of plastic is still rampant in and around the city of Bengaluru despite the plastic ban imposed by the BBMP.
Turning a blind eye to the plastic ban, the shopkeepers and vendors of Bengaluru can be seen using single- use plastic bags.
Prakash D G, a shopkeeper of Commercial Street said, “Even if customers buy something worth Rs 20, they ask for plastic bags and covers.” He added that people are unwilling to pay extra for paper bags and don’t tend to buy goods if they refuse plastic bags.
A circular passed by Bruhat Bangalore MahanagaraPalike (BBMP) on May 4, 2016, states that no person including shopkeepers, vendors, wholesalers, retailers, traders, hawkers or salesmen shall use plastic carry bags.
Mr. Balasundar, Chief Health Officer (BBMP) said, “Almost 2, 56,000 kgs of plastics were seized since the notification of 2016 and around Rs.3,27,07,000 collected as fine.”
Mr. P Vishwanath, Chief Engineer of Solid Waste Management said, “Fifteen to seventeen percent of solid waste generated contains plastic which is a banned item, mainly consisting of single-use plastics.”
Sandeep Anirudhan, an environmentalist and activist said, “Education is important, government seriousness is important, offering alternatives. We have to promote industries that give alternatives. There is not a single policy announcement by the government that will subsidize alternatives,” while talking about a possible solution to this plastic ban issue.
The BBMP has been trying its best to deal with the miscreants. Mr. Balasundar, Chief Health Officer (BBMP) said,” From September 1 we will seize their materials and probably from 15th September you will not see plastic with footpath vendors too.”
