Kochi: The Kochi Corporation, which had announced a ban on the sale and use of plastic carry bags with thickness of less than 50 microns nearly 10 years ago, is still struggling to enforce it. The decision taken by the previous council headed by the then mayor Tony Chammany still remains on paper even as the plastic garbage has become a major menace.
In the past, the civic body had tried to enforce the ban, the last in October 2016, but did not succeed. Now, the civic administration has announced the enforcement of the ban from August 15.
Earlier efforts to enforce the ban had failed for want of gauge micrometers. The civic authorities have to record the details of the carry bags, including the thickness, before taking action against the traders who sell them. The move to introduce holograms on plastic bags to curb their use also failed. Carry bags with the corporation’s hologram have to be sold at Rs 10 or Rs 15 per bag which will help the civic body earn additional revenue.
The city is generating over 130 tonnes of plastic waste every day which reach Brahmapuram plant. Over three lakh tonnes of plastic waste is piled up at Brahmapuram.
“The civic body has not issued any guidelines on banning plastic carry bags. If alternative solutions are not put in place, the ban will fail again,” said a trader who sells plastic bags. Hefty fine and strict action can only deter traders and consumers from using carry bags, it is pointed out.
