Farmers’ markets say no to plastic bags

The Uzhavar Sandhais (farmers’ market) at Toll Gate, Kagithapattarai and Katpadi in Vellore Corporation limits, have shut their gates on plastic bags.

An official said that the farmers have been advised to avoid dispensing plastic bags to customers.

At the Uzhavar Sandhai at Toll Gate, the administration has put up a board informing farmers and consumers that as per an order from the Vellore Corporation, plastic carry bags have been banned on the premises from May 1. The consumers have been requested to bring their own bags to the market.

A corporation official said that an advisory has been issued to all shops in Vellore to avoid the use of plastic bags weighing below 50 microns.

“We received the order from the Corporation nearly three days ago. We are encouraging customers to bring cloth bags to the market. This is only the first in creating awareness against the use of plastic. We will come up with more initiatives,” an other official said.

The official added that six more markets within the corporation limits — Gudiyatham, Vaniyambadi, Ranipet, Arcot, Tirupattur and Natrampalli — have been advised against using plastic bags.