GVMC officials creating awareness about the ban on single-use plastic at a rythu bazaar in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Around 1,200 kg single-use plastic has been seized by the teams of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) since the ban on plastic came into force in the city on January 1, the civic body officials have said.
After undertaking 45-day awareness campaign that began in November 2024, the GVMC enforced the ban on single-use plastic on January 1.
Teams comprising GVMC staff including public health, sanitation, sanitary inspectors and sanitation secretaries have been inspecting shops and commercial establishments across the city.
As per the officials, there are around 55,000 trade licence holders in the city. Earlier, the GVMC officials issued notices to the shops and commercial establishments, informing them about the ban. The civic body appealed to the shops to shift to eco-friendly alternatives such as paper or jute as packing material.
As part of an initiative, the GVMC staff have affixed a QR code in all shops and commercial establishments, explaining the ill effects of single-use plastic on the environment, the alternatives of plastic bags, etc.
Almost all shopkeepers have shifted to alternatives. They are urging the customers to bring their own bags to shops. The checks on compliance with the plastic ban will continue, said GVMC officials.
Published – January 30, 2025 08:17 am IST
