Madurai Corporation will establish plastic collection centres on December 31 to celebrate ‘No plastic New Year and Bhogi’ as its last leg of awareness campaign ahead of State government’s ban on single-use plastic that comes into force on January 1. Corporation Commissioner S. Aneesh Sekhar said the local body would distribute 15,000 cloth bags across the city in exchange for single-use plastic bags.
The government has suggested a list of 14 plastic items that should no longer be used by the public. Teams, volunteers, residents’ welfare associations, schools and the public who collect the maximum amount of single-use plastic will be given attractive prizes.
The Commissioner added that the primary aim of the programme was to ensure that people began the New Year by sticking to the ban. “It is a drive before implementation,” he said.
Speaking to The Hindu , Dr. Sekhar said, “There is always some difficulty and inconvenience when we move from plastic to other alternatives. However, if one stops giving priority to comfort, we can take steps to save the environment and save the public, in turn.”
