Thaindian News

Shimla, Dec 8 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh government will launch a week-long campaign from Dec 21 to make the state plastic-free by removing all polythene bags from residential areas and hillsides, the chief minister said Tuesday.
“An environment campaign would be launched from Dec 21 to remove the polythene bags and other non-biodegradable material littered in these areas,” Prem Kumar Dhumal said in a statement.

He said the collected plastic waste would be used for making roads.

“The use of the plastic for constructing the roads would be the next step in making the state plastic-free. The government is considering some incentives for the local bodies that will be involved in the collection of scattered polythene bags,” he said.

Himachal Pradesh imposed a total ban Oct 2 on the production, storage, use, sale and distribution of all types of polythene bags made of non-biodegradable materials.

Before the implementation of the ban, polythene pollution was a major problem in the state. During monsoon, the rainwater brought along heaps of polythene bags and other non-biodegradable material that choked most municipal drains.

Dhumal said the government is now promoting the use of paper and jute bags.

“We are educating the common man to use environment-friendly paper and jute bags. Special drives would be launched to educate the tourists not to bring polythene bags along with them during their visit to the state,” he said.