Kozhikode Corporation moots curbs on plastic use

Kozhikode: Kozhikode Municipal Corporation will implement strict regulations for efective waste management in its jurisdiction. A special council meeting of the civic body held on Friday approved the draft proposal for a bylaw which includes strong recommendations in order to make the city clean and pollution- free in public places and water resources. The major recommendations in the plan include banning free plastic covers and charging Rs 5-'10 for plastics bags above 50 microns based on the size.

The public can contribute their views and suggestions over the draft proposal within one month. The proposal, after incorporating public suggestions, will be approved by the council and then sent for the state government’s assent before it is implemented as a bylaw. According to the proposal, all plastic carry bags below 50 microns are banned. All institutions including hotels, hospitals, marriage halls and fish markets should have a waste recycling plant.

Those who lack space to set up the recycling plant can hand over the generated waste to the Corporation after paying a fixed amount, based on the type and size of the waste. The Corporation will also manage the waste from functions once the organizers remit the stipulated fee. The civic body prepared the draft proposal by incorporating rules from Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, E-waste Management Rules 2016 , Bio-medical Waste Handling Rules 2016 and Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules 2016.

A ward level committee headed by the councillor will be formed for effective implementation of the bylaw. A corporation level sanitation committee and health level monitoring committees will supervise and monitor the work of ward level committees.