We are generating less plastic in our garbage

All the campaigns against the use of plastic seems to have succeeded, with the city generating less plastic in its garbage.

All the campaigns against the use of plastic seems to have succeeded, with the city generating less plastic in its garbage.

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The environment report of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has found that the amount of plastic in the city's garbage has decreased from 10.14 per cent in 2009 to 9 per cent this year.

Plastic is considered to be one of the major factors that lead to the clogging of drains — and consequent flooding — during the rains.

Officials said the civic body's has carried on a sustained campaign against plastic bags and sheets. "It was found to be the main factor during the July 26, 2005, floods that had paralysed Mumbai," a senior BMC official said.

"Following a proposal put forward by Mayor Shraddha Jadhav last year to ensure the ban of plastic bags less than 50 microns thick, the municipal corporation has started a campaign on a pilot basis in municipal markets," the official added.

The municipal corporation is now developing cotton bags as a substitute for plastic bags. These would soon be distributed among corporators and civic staff.