THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The effort of the City Corporation to root out single-use plastic is yet to materialise with the eateries continuing to use plastic for packing food.
The big plan of the civic body to open eco-friendly shop to promote responsible green products for various purposes has failed to take off.
The actual plan was to open one at Palayam Saphalyam Complex ahead of the Attukal Pongala Festival.
The exclusive store would promote paper bags, cloth bags, reusable cotton sanitary napkins and diapers.
An official said that the civic body has put on hold its effort to curb usage of plastic for packing foods.
Recently, it held a meeting with the representatives of Kerala Hotels and Restaurants Association and online food ordering apps.
Apart from the discussion, nothing has happened on the ground.
"Right now the focus is on the Annadanams going to happen in connection with the Attukal festival. Last year we promoted eco-friendly products, but this year we have decided not to give an alternative. We are urging the devotees to carry a steel plate and glass to ban usage of plastic and other disposables," said the official.
The official said that the civic body would resume its effort to ban single-use plastic for packing food by the hotels and restaurants after the Pongala festival.
According to officials, some of the NGOs hired steel plates and glass for serving devotees, which is double labour for them.
"If the devotees bring it from home, it would be easier for us to enforce the green protocol," said the official.
