BENGALURU, 3 JULY

BBMP workers collected plastic bags and distributed paper straws and cloth bags to vendors and shops during an anti-plastic drive on International Plastic Bag Free Day at Russell Market in Shivajinagar on Wednesday. Under the guidance of Shivaji Nagar MLA, Rizwan Arshad, and Zonal Commissioner Snehal R, the drive was carried out by marshals, link workers, supervisors and the solid waste management team of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

The workers collected plastic bags totalling around 5kg, and distributed 700 paper straws to coconut vendors and 200 cloth bags to the vendors and shops. Urging them to use cloth bags, the workers warned traders of attracting a fine of Rs 100 if they used plastic bags. They also stuck posters conveying messages about shunning plastic in eateries and other market areas.

Abilash MM, Assistant Executive Engineer, Solid Waste Management, BBMP, said, “We are doing this drive to inform and educate the people on the importance of using cloth bags and paper straws instead of plastic. We are also spreading awareness of dengue. Before the plastic ban was enforced, traders in the market used to buy 50kg to 70kg of plastic and now it has reduced to 10kg to 20kg. We aim to completely eliminate the use of plastic.” —Salar News