MUMBAI: The BMC has over the past month collected more than 2,300 kg of banned plastic at dedicated containers placed at various spots for the convenience of the public. The BMC also collected about 47,600 kg more of dry waste than usual, some of it plastic, at waste segregation centres at the local ward level.
Municipal officials said the public response to their appeal to deposit plastic with the BMC was poor. The state government ban on a vast range of plastic products, including carry bags, kicked in on March 23 and people have time till June 23 to get rid of these.
The BMC has now activated a dedicated a toll-free number, 1800222357, on which people can call municipal staff to collect the plastic in their possession. It is also starting an awareness campaign from next week to urge people not to use plastic and to deposit it with the municipality.
“Societies and business establishments need to collect the banned plastic on their premises and give a call on the provided number,” assistant municipal commissioner Kiran Dighavkar said. “Our team will visit them to collect the plastics from them.”
After the government ban announcement, the BMC planted plastic collection bins in high footfall areas, mainly big markets. At many places, shopkeepers and others dumped all types of non-plastic waste in these.
Source : timesofindia
