Suchitwa Mission wants plastic water bottles to go

Thiruvananthapuram: Suchitwa Mission, based on lessons learnt from Sikkim, is planning to suggest to the state government to impose a ban of plastic mineral water bottles in all government functions. The Sikkim government had issued a notification imposing a ban on plastic mineral water bottles and foam food containers in May.

This will not be the first time that Suchitwa Mission has taken the initiative to ensure plastic-free events. Attukal Pongala, the Chief Minister’s swearing-in ceremony and state school arts festival are examples. However, a ban on plastic mineral water bottles was never suggested before. Its Executive Director K Vasuki said, “We have already been working on a Green Protocol. Now, based on the Sikkim model, we are planning to suggest to the government that this could be imposed state-wide, as well.”

The Sikkim story did not start in May, but a year ago, when the Rural Development Department imposed such a ban in all 176 gram panchayats in the state. The strategy from panchayat to state level seems to have worked. Two Additional District Collectors from Sikkim, Benu Gurung and Roshni Rai, who were in the city to attend a Suchitwa Mission workshop on Liquid and Solid Waste Management, had shared the experience.

“Even before that, the plastic-free protocol was followed by some gram panchayats,” says Gurung. While it will take some time to say whether the initiative is fruitful or not, Gurung says that it is not very difficult to implement at the government office level. “Water dispensers have been set up at all offices. Tea is always served in porcelain cups. In office canteens, instructions have been given to use steel or porcelain plates. The ban is also ensured at fairs and festivals,” says Gurung. The state is yet to effect such a ban on other public functions.