Adieu single-use plastic: It’s time for a green & clean start

LUCKNOW: From July 1, single-use plastic and thermocol cutlery, wrapping and packaging material, and plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns will be banned in the city.
If you have ordered a mango slush and didn't get a straw with it, don't get mad at the manager as Lucknow Municipal Corporation, in accordance with the directions issued by the state government, has put a ban on all single-use plastic items.

From July 1, single-use plastic and thermocol cutlery, wrapping and packaging material, and plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns will be banned in the city.
The only virgin recyclable plastic packaging material which is approved by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for retailing milk, chips, and snacks will be allowed.
The ban will directly, and adversely impact, vegetable sellers, sweet shop owners, dairy owners, hotels, restaurants, single-use plastic manufacturers, retailers, and distributors. Indirectly, ragpickers and people will be affected. Now, they will have to use biodegradable material for packaging.
However, LMC has decided not to impose the ban in a radical manner. Traders, manufacturers, and distributors will be given some time before strict implementation is carried out.
"We are working to remove single-use plastic in a phase-wise manner. An awareness campaign has begun. Confiscation and penalties will be followed," said LMC commissioner Indrajit Singh.
LMC officials said a five-day mass awareness campaign titled RACE (Reduction, Awareness, Circular Solutions, and Mass Engagement) was launched on June 29. Under this, those who possess single-use plastic will be encouraged to give it voluntarily to the LMC enforcement task force.
In July 2018, single-use carry bags less than 50 microns, glasses, cups, and cutlery were prohibited. It was implemented in three phases but failed. Later, it was re-introduced on October 2, 2019 and LMC recovered Rs 98 lakh as a fine between February 2020 to 2022 but could not get the desired effect on people. Municipal commissioner Indrajit Singh said, "This time apart from penalising, we will try to bring behavioral change that has kept people away from shunning single-use plastic items completely."