KOCHI: Piravom municipality, which has already achieved considerable success in curbing the use of plastic bags in addition to systematic collection and disposal of e-waste, has adopted the Green Protocol, which will be fully in practice by April 1.
The Green Protocol is a voluntary undertaking to adopt measures to conserve nature. Municipal chairman Sabu K. Jacob said the protocol would be strictly implemented from April 1, with one month’s grace period for people to get used to the concept.
The resolution to adopt the Green Protocol was passed by the municipal council on January 27, said Benny V. Varghese, councillor. He added that the objective of the protocol was ensuring zero waste. Utilisation of reusable materials, putting an end to the culture of dumping waste in public places, controlled use of plastic, and sensible use and protection of environmental resources are the guidelines for implementing the Green Protocol.
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Mr. Jacob said the municipality had already made much headway in getting rid of plastic bags. Incidentally, plastic bags, irrespective of their thickness levels, had been banned in the municipal area since October 1 last year. The initiative has been a huge success, and the municipal chairman said it would not have been possible without the cooperation of traders and people at large.
The municipality has also initiated the collection of e-waste. Around 7.5 tonnes of e-waste has been collected by the municipal authority so far with the help of school and college students.
Mr. Varghese said e-waste brought to various institutions were being collected with the help of Clean Kerala Company at the rate of ₹25 per kg. The items collected include laptops, computers, mobile phones, television sets, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, and generators.
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e-waste collection was launched after it was found that even those who handled scrap took only what they needed from used electronic gadgets. The rest are usually thrown away. Such abandoned waste materials find their way into river and water systems, he added.
The municipality has also banned brick kilns as part of efforts to conserve nature.