Indore's big NO to ‘Single Use Plastic’ - Another step towards Indore Lagayega Choka.
The city of Indore has undoubtedly taken serious strides in maintaining cleanliness, the results of which can be seen by Indore winning the title of the cleanest city of India 3rd time consequently. A new initiative taken up by the administration is to now stop complete restrict single-use plastic in the city. Any plastic item, which loses its use after being used one time and further can neither be reused nor recycled, is labeled under single-use plastic. Indore administration has worked really hard to aware of each citizen of the city regarding the hazards of single-use plastic through various means, informing them about its alternatives too. Here is the list of some of the major initiatives taken up by the Indore administration.
Awareness drives in various localities:
Various volunteers and a group of administrative staff collectively visit different ward and zones of our city Indore. The main purpose is to educate them about the importance of waste segregation, waste management and stopping the use of single-use plastic. Various schools and individual organizations have contributed in spreading this awareness. The Brahma Samaj Montessori School and St. Raphael’s School are some of the greatest examples. Areas of Zone 4, Zone 6 and zone 3 are the most recent drives organized by the municipal corporation.
The clean Indore Zoo:
The newly renovated Indore zoo, with all its charm and gusto, has another major accomplishment under its name. The zoo has been declared a ‘single-use plastic’ Free zone. Any kind of a variety of single-use plastic is barred from entering the premises of the zoo. Plastic water bottles are prohibited too; in place of plastic water bottles, the new alternative derived by the zoo authorities is to serve water in copper tumblers for the visitors. This initiative is thoughtful, smart as well as beneficial for the environment.
Bartan Bank:
One of the most advanced and unique ideas derived by the Indore Municipal authorities, with the help of associated NGOs like Human Matrix Solutions, is the Bartan Bank of Indore. This initiative motivates individuals and organizations alike, to rent the utensils from the Bartan Bank in case of need, instead of using disposable plates and other utensils. There have been a number of interested consumers who used this innovative initiative for their needs, all the while helping the city towards being single-use plastic-free.
Thela Bank:
A similar initiative against the use of plastic bags, started by the Indore Municipal Corporation is thela bank. Just like bartan bank, thela bank too has a hoard of cloth thelas which people can issue and use, instead of using polythene bags. This initiative is also created with the help of Human Matrix Solution NGO. Centers of thela bank have been set up in various parts of the city, easily to locate by the people.
Smart Offices of a smart city:
The corporate offices of our city have also incorporated this policy of no use of single plastic. Most offices have started using copper tumblers, forgoing the plastic glasses that were earlier in use. This step not only helps in the betterment of the environment but also is extremely beneficial for the staff and workers of the office.
Strict fines entailed:
The policies incorporated against single-use plastic are not only for namesake. The administration is levying heavy taxes and fines from all those who are not abiding the rules of the city. Till now a total of around 30 lakh rupees fine is charged. The municipality is taking these laws very seriously and ensuring that the citizens do so too.
Article By: Umme Salma Saifee
