Bengaluru: Tonnes of banned plastics, which include covers, cups, wrappers and spoons, seized during raids, are lying at BBMP offices and the Palike is now planning to use them for asphalting of roads.
Nearly 12,000 kg of plastic is lying at various BBMP offices in the city. As the amount of plastics being seized is increasing by the day, the BBMP is exploring different ways to dispose of the plastics.
Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun said, "After we started imposing the plastic ban strictly, we have been seizing hundreds of kilos of plastics every day. While our main intention is to curb the entry of plastics into the city by raising and sealing the plastic manufacturing units, at many places we find the banned plastics still being used." She said, “Traders and vendors usually stack up plastic carry bags. During raids, we get a lot of such plastic carry bags. After seizing the bags and slapping fines, the seized goods are being dumped at respective BBMP offices.”
She said, “As per rule, we are not supposed to keep plastics with us. They have to be used for asphalting purposes.” She added that she is in talks with BBMP commissioner Manjunath Prasad to chalk out plans to dispose of seized goods.
She said that with the increased awareness against the use of low-grade plastics, people have themselves stopped using them.
“In August, we will have a workshop and fair to popularise cheap alternatives to plastics,” she said.
