Sir, This refers to the recent news item published in SOM under the title “Despite the ban, plastic adds to city’s pile of waste." Environmentally harmful plastics, especially single-use items like glasses, spoons, dining sheets and straws are banned at many places including Mysuru since long. However, no one may believe that it is really banned in the city if they see the photo taken recently from the city itself. Plastic covers are being used everywhere and people have not started practicing the good old habit of carrying handbags while going for shopping. Though distribution of carry bags has reduced in shopping malls, I have seen people still demanding carry bags from vegetable vendors and roadside fruit vendors. It is no surprise how the vendors are getting those bags in the market. Unless the suppliers and distributors are penalised, the imposed ban may not be effective.
- Dr. S. V. N. Vijayendra, Roopanagar, 30.9.2018
