No for plastic bags below 50 microns: Collector

Warangal: Warangal Urban District Collector Prashanth Jeevan Patil has said that those who infringe the ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the use, sale and storage of non-biodegradable plastic bags less than 50 microns would be punished.

Speaking at the solid waste management special task force committee meeting here on Tuesday, he said that use of plastic bags of below 50 microns would attract severe penalisation henceforth. To create awareness about the ban on plastic below 50 microns, the administration would organise a special drive from July 17 to 25.

Emphasising the need for sensitising the people, the Collector told the officials to go strict on establishments – provision shops, vegetable vendors, shopping malls etc – where use of plastics is rampant.

He called upon people to habituate use of jute, paper and cloth bags which are more environment-friendly. He said that 10 self-help groups (SHGs) would be encouraged to manufacture eco-friendly bags.

He directed the officials to focus on segregating wet and dry wastes produced by 2.20 lakh households in the Greater Warangal. Bio-medical waste is another major concern; Patil pointed out, instructing officials to ensure its disposal in a scientific way. DCP Nagaraju, DM&HO Dr Harish Raj, MGM hospital superintendent B Srinivas Rao, IMA Warangal president N Surender Reddy and MHO B Raja Reddy were among others present.