Paper/jute bags distributed, drive against SUP goes on
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 11 2025:
The drive against single use plastic products launched on April 15 after the Government banned these products has been going on.
A joint team of Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Imphal Municipal Corporation and Kangleipak Cluster Level Federation, Thambalkhong carried out a drive against single use plastics from Uripok Sorbon Thingel up to Khwairamband Ima Keithel temporary market this morning.
Apart from collecting single use plastics from the street vendors, the team distributed paper bags, jute bags and bio-degradable plastic bags.
Using loudspeakers, the team also explained the effects of single use plastic products to human health and environment.
The team collected single use plastic bags from almost all the street vendors from Uripok Sorbon Thingel up to Khwairamband Ima Keithel temporary market who were using single use plastic bags to sell their ware to customers.
The team warned the street vendors that fines would be imposed on them if they continue to use single use plastic bags.
MPCB Member Secretary Dr W Roshan and Environment & Climate Change Director T Brajakumar also took part in today's drive.
They also distributed leaflets to the general public spreading awareness on the banned single use plastic products.
Speaking to media persons during the drive at Ima Keithel, Dr W Roshan said that single use plastics have been banned in the State with effect from April 15, 2025 considering the harmful effects of these products on human life and environment.
Drives have been carried out at retail shops dealing in single use plastic products located in different parts of the State and huge quantities of the banned plastic items have been seized since April 15.The drive will go on, Dr Roshan said.
He further urged all to stop buying and selling single use plastic products and help the authorities in completely eradicating single use plastic products from the State.
He appealed to all the people to use paper bags, jute bags and bio-degradable plastic bags in place of the single plastic products banned by the Government.
When asked by the media persons why their drive is confined to congested market places and not in places where there is less number of street vendors and meat shops which are still using single use plastic bags, he said that they will continue with their drive at mini market places as well as meat shops.
He then urged all to stop use of single use plastic bags.
On the other hand, 14 Kilograms of single use plastic bags were collected during the drive this morning, according to an official.
On being asked about the drive being undertaken by authorities against single use plastic products, women vendors said that it is a good step for public health and environment.
However, they asked how they will sell their stuff if they are not provided an alternative.
The drive would have been appreciated more had the authorities first made paper bags, jute bags and bio-degradable plastic bags available easily at markets before launching the drive.
The women vendors said that they are not aware of where they will get the bio-degradable plastic bags although the authorities are saying that bio-degradable plastic bags will be easily available at markets.
The limited number of biodegradable plastic bags and paper bags provided by the authorities this morning has exhausted, they said before asking how they will now sell their stuff.
The women vendors said that the authorities concerned need to carry out door to door campaigns similar to the ones carried out at market places.
They also appealed to all consumers to bring carry bags when they come shopping.
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