THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Styrofoam plates that seemed to disappear from receptions and parties have returned to marriage halls causing huge environmental challenges in city.
The health inspectors were directed to convene meetings with caterers at their respective areas and appeal to replace these non-biodegradable plates with porcelain ones.
Though plastic bags and polypropene bags have been banned in corporation, the Styrofoam plates have not yet been prohibited due to possible legal hurdles. Instead green protocol that necessitates the use of steel, porcelain plates were being enforced for mega events.
“Earlier, following awareness campaign, its use had gone down. Now, most caterers were rampantly serving food on these plates,” said a senior corporation health officer.
Corporation and police officials have already convened meetings of caterers at Nemom to fully weed out Styrofoam.
Unlike the popular concept, Styrofoam plates are not hygienic.
“Due to its one time use feature Styrofoam plates are considered hygienic but they are made out of discarded materials from within and outside country. They are not good for health,” said Health inspector Anoop Roy.
The green activists across the nation had predicted a Styrofoam menace in civic bodies where plastic ban was enforced.
“The caterers generally prefer this plates as this needn’t be washed after use. Also since, it’s not heavy their transportation is easy,” officials added.
Some of the caterers, when contacted by Deccan Chronicle claimed that they did not know that Styrofoam was non-biodegradable.
“We knew that the plastic plate was a problem but thought Styrofoam will burn off almost like paper. In any case, for premium events people prefer only porcelain or reusable fibre plates,” said P Ravi, an Ambalathara based caterer.
