The Hindu 02.03.2013
Drive against thin plastic containers
Surprise checks conducted in Erode.
The Erode Corporation has intensified its drive against the usage of polythene containers of less than 40 micron thickness.
The civic body joined hands with the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and started conducting surprise checks in the commercial establishments since Wednesday.
Officials raided tea shops, eateries, medical shops, grocery stores, textile showrooms and various other commercial establishments in a few parts of the town and seized huge amount of polythene carry bags, tea cups and shopping bags during the raid.
The teams slapped a fine of Rs.24,000 on eight merchants who were found providing polythene bags to their customers to carry goods.
“We will conduct checks more frequently to prevent the traders from using the banned polythene bags of less than 40 micron thickness. These bags pose serious threat to the environment. The trading community should co-operate with us and stop distributing such bags to their customers,” a senior official in the civic body said.
The civic body had also decided to conduct more programmes to spread awareness among residents and merchants on the adverse effects of using polythene bags, the official said.
Banned
Officials said the civic body had banned the manufacture and use of polythene containers less than 40-micron thickness in the town limits. The ban came into effect from May last year.
Manufactures of the banned carry bags would be slapped a fine of Rs. 5,000.
If merchants or commercial establishments were found using the bags, a fine of Rs. 3,000 would be collected, while the general public would be fined Rs. 100, if they were found using the bags.
