NGOs call for ban on plastic at schools, colleges

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 27

The civil society and NGOs in the city have called for a ban on the usage of plastic bags on an institutional level as well to effectively weed out the problem. Despite the MC’s efforts to check the use of plastic bags and distribution of eco-friendly bags as a replacement, most shops are seen using them, without any discouragement.

“Even if you ask the shopkeepers to stop using them, they tell you otherwise. Most people also are not sensitised towards the harmful effects of the plastic bag and its ban. The situation worsens as these plastic bags find their way to the garbage dumps, where the cattle of other animals feed on them, resulting in a toxic death,” said Deepak Babbar from Mission Aghaaz who organised a seminar on the ill-effects of plastic and called for a ban on its usage at various city schools and colleges.

“Just like the Army authorities have banned the usage of plastic bags inside the Cantonment area, other institutions like the GNDU or may be schools and colleges should call for a similar ban inside their premises. Until the efforts come from each and every section of society, plastic bags would continue to pollute our surroundings,” he said.

Supporting the MC’s drive to distribute eco-friendly bags, Babbar said a consistent and motivated approach would definitely pay results. Meanwhile, MC Commissioner Sonali Giri also held a meeting with small traders and manufacturers of jute and cotton bags to increase production and distribution and possible tie- ups with the MC. “We have urged them to tie up with us for our awareness drive and increase the production as the commercial use of plastic bags continues to happen due to lack of a required amount of replacement. If they increase their output, we could get them to replace the plastic bags on a large scale, thereby reducing dependency on these bags,” she said.