In a move to make Fort Kochi Beach, one of the prime tourist locations in Kochi, free of plastic, the Ernakulam district administration has banned the use of non-recyclable plastic items around the area.
From now on, those shops around the area selling such plastic items will land in trouble.
Accumulation of plastic waste in the beach and surrounding areas in addition to the waste materials getting deposited from the sea, are some of the major challenges to keep the place clean.
The use of items made of plastic like carry bags, non woven carry bags, flex or banners, cups, plates, straws, spoons, bottles, pouches, flags, cooling films, other decoration items made of plastic and thermocol, has been banned.
The decision as part of implementing green protocol in the area was taken by the district administration after conducting a meeting with the officials of Kochi Corporation, Suchitwa Mission, Haritha Keralam Mission and Fort Kochi sub collector, city police commissioner.
As per the order issued by district administration, the owners of shops should compulsorily segregate the waste generated at their enterprise, into degradable and bio-degradable. They should also ensure that non-degradable waste is scientifically disposed or recycled. Shop owners should also make sure that consumers are not littering around the area.
Those selling these kinds of non-recyclable plastic products will be fined Rs 2,000. If the shop owners do not keep their surroundings plastic-free or do not comply with the order by not keeping separate bins to segregate waste, they will be charged the same amount as fine.
To ensure that people comply with this order, it has also been decided that repeat offenders will be charged Rs 10,000.
Meanwhile, action will also be taken against those people who are littering plastic waste in the area. Police officials who are on duty in the area have been authorised to collect an amount of Rs 1,000 from such people littering waste in the area.