SHIMLA, Jan 1: The capital town of Shimla, on the new year day, has become free from coloured polythene bags as a complete ban on them, in all urban towns in the state, came into force from today. Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to introduce this measure.Most of the traders, shopkeepers, retailers and fruit and vegetable vendors in the all urban towns of the state have switched over either to newspaper bags or colourless poly bags. Almost all of the traders and vendors have already exhausted their old stocks of coloured poly bags.
In shimla, people were seen carrying articles in colourless polythene bags. Shopkeepers were fully aware of the ban as they had kicked out these bags. A special notification imposing the ban was issued last week by the state government.
Apart from the governmental agencies, the district administration has also sought the help of the non-governmental groups to ensure the implementation of this ban. Banners informing about ban have also appeared in the town.
Special steps have also been taken to educate people and shopkeepers about ill-effects of the rot coloured poly bags made from recycled plastic waste.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.