Ban on plastic carry bags in city limits

KOZHIKODE: A ban on plastic carry bags below 30 microns in thickness was enforced in the city limits from Monday.



Henceforth, Kudumbasree volunteers engaged in door-to-door collection of garbage will not collect the plastic carry bags from households. Standing committee chairman on Health Kanangot Haridas has directed the Kudumbasree units not to collect the banned plastic bags. The households would have to seek their own ways and means to dispose of the plastic bags.



Vegetable and fruit shops, fish markets and slaughter houses have been directed not to use the bags for packing. Two years ago, the Corporation had enforced a ban on the use of carry bags or containers made of recycled plastics less than 30 microns for storing, carrying, dispensing or packing foodstuff. However, the ban was not effective.



Now the civic body finds it difficult to recycle the plastic waste from households. The recycling plant located on the Corporation land near the West Hill Industrial Estate had become defunct. The plastic waste had also accumulated in the area.



Earlier, the residents had opposed the dumping of waste in the region by Kudumbasree units. This prompted the Corporation to enforce the ban on plastic bags from March 1.