PPCB to introduce eco-friendly carry bags

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 19

After being introduced in Amritsar, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) will introduce compostable carry bags in major cities such as Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala by June 5,  2018, to commemorate World Environment Day.

“Plastic carry bags have been a major environment hazard in the country as these clog drains and sewers, leading to health hazard for people. All municipal dumps and drains are affected due to the problems created by plastic carry bags,” said PPCB Chairman Kahan Singh Pannu.

Though Punjab has imposed a blanket ban on the manufacture, sale and use of plastic carry bags in the state, the supply and use of the same could not be stopped as these have become an integral part of life and there is a huge demand from the public for the polythene bags at shops.

“Till recently, there was no alternative available for replacing the plastic carry bags, but now a raw material for manufacturing environment-friendly compostable carry bags made of starch derived from corn/potatoes has been developed,” Pannu said.

Meetings of approved manufactures with major traders and bulk users of carry bags are being organised. Major users of carry bags such as sweetmeat and grocery shops, retail stores and hospitals are being approached to shift to compostable carry bags. A meeting with Plastic Carry Bag Manufacturers’ Association was also held to impress upon them to 

shift their capabilities to make compostable carry bags. Pannu called a meeting of 100 odd plastic carry bags manufacturers of the state and advised them to shift to manufacturing of compostable carry bags by using starch granules derived from maize and potatoes, besides other items. Interestingly, machines with which the plastic carry bags are manufactured can also be used to manufacture the compostable carry bags.