Plastic ban gets nod in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: An all-party meeting at the city corporation on Tuesday unanimously decided to enforce a ban on plastics below 50 microns from July 1. Though most of the traders are aware of such a ban, they are clueless on the hologram concept for plastic under 50 microns that can be legally used in moderation.

Similarly, there is an apprehension that absence of a blanket ban will derail its spirit. Also, the corporation is yet to chalk out a plan to control the use of plastic bottles. “A meeting involving all parties had sworn to take strict action against all who sell plastic from July 15. From July 1 to 15, we will hold awareness sessions and ban will officially be in force on July 1,” said health standing committee chairperson K. Sreekumar.

Corporation was planning to issue holograms for all plastic covers above 50 microns that will be stocked and sold by traders. “Traders will have to purchase the hologram at Re 1 per sticker and stick it on covers that can be sold at up to Rs 7. Those who don’t have hologram will get fined. Cases will be filed against those failing to abide by the plastic ban,” Mr Sreekumar added.

He was, however, unable to explain when and how the holograms will be printed and distributed. Meanwhile, the traders the Deccan Chronicle talked to said they were unaware of the hologram concept. They said a ban would not be effective unless cloth bags were made easily available and cheaper.

“A cloth bag which is the same size of a Rs 5 plastic bag will cost Rs 13 or Rs 15. We were not informed that there was a meeting at the corporation,” said the manager of a supermarket. Some small scale retailers, especially those who sell meat products and vegetables had expressed practical difficulty in doing away with plastic during an earlier meeting at the corporation.

However, officials who did not answer any of these concerns and stated that the ban will be enforced. The plastic ban has been officially in force in the state since 2008, but this has not been enforced strictly in capital.