MC, PPCB teams collect 12 tonnes of plastic in 15 days

PATIALA:Teams of the Municipal Corporation (MC), the District Administration and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) have collected nearly 12 tonnes of plastic from around the city as part of a drive taken out to rid the city of plastic waste in 15 days.

MP Preneet Kaur shows cloth bags during an awareness drive on ‘plastic-free city’ at the Municipal Corporation in Patiala on Sunday. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar

Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 20

Teams of the Municipal Corporation (MC), the District Administration and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) have collected nearly 12 tonnes of plastic from around the city as part of a drive taken out to rid the city of plastic waste in 15 days.

The drive, which began to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, concluded on October 16. The MC held a programme in this regard today.

MP Preneet Kaur during a conversation with the media said the teams did a commendable job and collected garbage and plastic waste from various wards around the city. “We had formed four teams that managed to collect over 12 tonnes of plastic from all 60 wards in 15 days. Now, it is the responsibility of people to shun the use of plastic and keep the city and their surroundings clean,” she said.

Regarding a question raised over use of plastic by factories and similar outlets and ways to stop it, the MP said the Centre would make norms for the same. She said people should use jute and cloth bags provided by the MC and the PPCB and added that the municipal councillors would also take part in the drive.

Meanwhile, residents rued plastic carry bags continued to be available at various shops in the city. “The MC and the administration have started persuading people not to use banned plastic material. From fruit vendors to shopkeepers, all provide plastic carry bags even without being asked for them,” said Shivani in Achar bazaar. A bystander said, “The road connecting the Sadar Bazaar behind Kila Mubarak to the lower mall road has a minimum of three dumping points. The garbage thrown here by the MC’s sanitation workers and residents flows into open sewage lines by the side of the road, which is a major cause for concern.”