TRICHY: Raising serious concern over the indiscriminate use of plastic carry bags for packing food materials despite the ban on use of single-use plastic, the organisation Thanneer and Makkal Sakthi Iyakkam appealed to the state government to launch a mission to create awareness among the people to carry utensils to eateries and restaurants for takeaway.
Thanneer working president K C Neelamegam said on Sunday that enforcement of the ban on single-use plastic was lenient. He cited the use of such bags in packing food including beverages like tea and coffee in coffee shops, eateries and restaurants. The two outfits have been carrying out awareness programmes and distributing ‘manja pai’ (cloth bags) to the people to replace plastic carry bags. They faulted the general public for not cultivating the habit of carrying a cloth bag to bring such items.
“Over 99 % of people don’t follow the practice of carrying any bag to shops to bring food items, and pack it in single use plastic. Despite knowing about the health and environmental hazards, we use them,” said KC Neelamegam. He said takeaway vegetarian meals will require six to seven plastic bags for packing while a non-vegetarian meals takeaway will consume up to nine bags.
Pointing to the government’s Meendum Manjapai mission, the organisations suggested the government insist on use of utensils among people and ask food business operators to offer discounts up to 5% on the price for those bringing utensils for takeaway.
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