Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner Dr Vijay Karthikeyan, today chaired a meeting with plastic manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers and shop owners, to educate them to switch to using plastic bags over 50 microns.
Speaking on this Special Officer, said 'This decision was taken in the wake of non-biodegradable waste getting increasingly piled-up in the city. As discussed earlier, the hazardous nature of the plastics dumped on a day-to-day basis pose irreversible effects on the environment. Hence, all stakeholders involved in the use of plastics along with NGO's who work towards the goal of eliminating plastics, were invited for this meet.
As per the Solid Waste Management rule of 2016, use of plastic bags and cups less than 50 microns is been banned completely. Manufacturers are hereby asked to refrain from manufacturing such banned products on failing to which a fine of Rs. 1,00,000 would be levied initially along with a warning. The same implies to the traders and commercial establishments who will attract a fine of Rs.50,000. The traders were advised to use paper cups in place of plastics to serve beverages'.
Deputy Corporation Commissioner P. Gandhimathi, Assistant District Welfare Officer Dr. M. Santhoshkumar, Representatives of various NGOs, Zonal Health Officers and plastic product manufacturers and dealers were present during the meeting.