BMC squad to keep tab on polythene makers, traders

BHUBANESWAR: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) will form an enforcement squad to keep an eye on manufacturers and traders of plastic carry-bags from Tuesday - the day the state government's ban on plastic in six cities - Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Puri and Rourkela - kicks in.
Deputy commissioner (sanitation) of BMC, Diptirani Sahu, said the enforcement squad would initially seize polythene bags that are less than 50 microns thick. "The Central Pollution Control Board has banned the production and sale of polythene bags that are less than 50 microns thick," she said. "Then, there will be a drive to encourage people to use paper bags and other eco-friendly containers while shopping for essential items," she added.

The civic body said it would count the number of manufacturers and traders who deal only in plastic carry-bags. "We are yet to form a database on traders who sell plastic carry-bags of different sizes to retailers. Once this enumeration is done, we can sensitize them better. If they don't follow the rule, their trading centres will be closed with the help of the pollution board," said an officer.

The civic body has hastened the establishment of a plastic shredding unit, to be set up at a cost of Rs 1.40 crore. "Since carry-bags of more than 50 micron thickness will remain in use, plastic will be in circulation. They will get mixed with municipal waste," said an officer.

The shredder will be situated at BMC's temporary waste dumping station so that plastic waste can be segregated and only household (biodegradable) waste transported to the designated dumping site.