Puri: The district administration has decided to rope in school students to create awareness against the use of polythene bags and single-use plastic.
The administration will adopt four methods—awareness, disposal, alternative and raid—to make all gram panchayats and urban local bodies in the district free from polythene and single-use plastic.
“We will launch a mass contact programme to make people aware of the hazardous impact of polythene and plastic on the earth. At least 2.75 lakh schoolchildren in the district will take a pledge to shun polythene and create awareness against it among their parents. In the process, we can spread the message of a polythene-free society to around 3 lakh families,” said Collector Balwant Singh.
According to Singh, the administration will utilise Anganwadi centres in the district to create awareness against the use of plastic among 75,000 families.
“Messages related to the harmful impact of plastic on the environment will also be disseminated through gram sabhas and public meetings. We will distribute leaflets among the tourists to avoid single-use plastic,” Singh said.
The Collector also advised people not to use thermocol cutleries and plastic water bottles at feasts and meetings.
Singh further revealed that urban local bodies (ULBs) in the district will take steps to collect non-biodegradable wastes from each and every household. “We will crush the non-biodegradable wastes and send them to private firms for some use,” he said.
On the other hand, the ULBs will set up micro composting plants to manage biodegradable wastes. “We have identified at least 20 places in Puri city to set up micro-composting plants,” Singh added.
This apart, official of the district administration will carry our regular raids on shops and eateries to check the use of polythene bags and thermocol cutleries. The administration will encourage people to use fabric, paper and jute bags. “We will encourage the women self-help groups (SHGs) to produce fabric, paper and jute bags. Steps will be taken to prevent the use of polythene and plastic at tourist places in the district,” said the Collector.