Chandigarh has no facility for plastic waste disposal, reveals MC

The Municipal Corporation (MC) has no disposal facility for the plastic waste, the civic body has revealed in the reply to the questions asked by the councillor Saurabh Joshi.

The reply will be placed in the MC General House’s next meeting scheduled to be held on April 30.

Joshi had sought detailed information regarding steps taken by the civic body for the implementation of the ban on the polythene in the city. On the question of a disposal facility for plastic waste, the MC informed that no such facility was available in the city. However, there are six plastic waste recyclers in the Industrial Area.

The MC also accepted it has not yet conducted a survey to determine the efficacy of the plastic ban in the city so far. It claimed that several initiatives, including providing shopkeepers and vendors with alternatives to plastic carry bags, have been undertaken to reduce plastic waste.

The officials handed over appreciation certificates to citizens who carried their own jute/cloth bags for shopping. Vendors were also warned against using single-use plastic bags, with challans being issued to violators.

Joshi said he asked questions after noticing that no one was taking the ban seriously.

The administration has imposed a complete ban on storing, using and producing polythene bags, but shopkeepers as well vendors are seen flouting the law without any fear in apni mandis of different sectors Polythene bags lying in open areas are not only an eyesore, but also block sewerage lines. They cause many health problems, besides being an environmental hazard.

Civic body mulls

setting up new plant

Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla said the civic body was committed to making the city polythene free. She said she will direct officials to enforce the ban on the polythene bags strictly.

The MC will also consider setting up a plant for disposal of plastic bags.

Chandigarh