Thrikkakara residents have accused the municipal administration of not fully implementing the ban on plastic materials and carry bags below 50 microns. They say the banned products are available in plenty across the municipal area. However, the municipal authorities say that all-out efforts, including frequent checks, are being made to implement the ban.
Salim Kunnumpuram of Thrikkakara Residents’ Association Apex Council (TRAAC) says the forum is planning to submit a memorandum to the municipal authorities because the ban is not being implemented. He says that the issue had been taken up earlier on several occasions, but to no avail.
Gijo Chingamthara, councillor and Public Works Standing Committee chairman, says that it is almost impossible to implement the ban in isolation. Since shops and other business establishments in local bodies neighbouring Thrikkakara are using the materials freely, traders in the Thrikkakara municipal area have a disadvantage. He calls for a ban across the State and strict follow-up action to get rid of the menace.
Mr. Salim also adds that the municipal authorities are not fully prepared for the ban as alternatives have not been introduced. Only if alternatives like cloth or paper bags and packing materials are available, the ban on plastic can be fully implemented, he says.
Mr. Gijo says that the municipality is spending around ₹8 lakh a month to dispose of plastic waste. Plastic waste, both clean and unclean, is being collected and transported by a contractor appointed by the municipality, he adds.
The waste from the municipal area is disposed of at the Kochi Corporation’s facility at Brahmapuram.
A municipal official says that around 15 tonnes of organic waste are generated in the municipal area daily. Around six tonnes of other waste materials are also transported daily from the municipal area.
Meanwhile, residents have complained that the stink emanating from the transportation of waste materials from the Kochi Corporation area in open lorries was causing inconvenience to them.