Collect plastic, win a gold coin on June 17

In an effort to create awareness among the public on the need to mobilise all plastic waste that could be used to lay quality roads in the city, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and Chennai Plastic Manufacturers and Merchants Association (CHEPMMA) will conduct a plastic waste collection drive at Marina on June 17.

G. Sankaran, President, CHEPMMA, said volunteers would collect the waste from the general public at seven locations between MGR Memorial and Gandhi Statue in Marina, between 1 pm and 7 pm.

Persons collecting plastic weighing not less than 100 grams will be given coupons which will be raffled later the same day and the winners would get gold and silver coins, he said.

R. Sarasavani, District Environmental Engineer, TNPCB Chennai, said the scrap collected could be used for laying roads by using a technology which melted the plastic at high temperature and blended it with bitumen.

The Chief Minister's scheme would solve the problem of plastic litter and at the same time ensure good quality roads, she pointed out.

Environment Minister B.V. Ramanaa will inaugurate the awareness campaign. Mayor Saidai Duraisami will distribute the coins. A similar drive was conducted in Thiruvannamalai last year during ‘Girivalam' which was successful, Mr. Sankaran said.