Restaurants directed not to sell eatables in plastic bags

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 8 (UNI) The Kerala Government today decided to bar restaurants and hotels from selling eatables in plastic carry bags from September one.

The decision was taken at a high level meeting attended by Local Administration Minister Paloli Mohammadkutty and Health Minister P K Sreemathy, an official release said here.

Stringent actions, including cancellation of license of the hotels that sold eatables in plastic carry bags, would be taken to effectively implement the ban.

An awareness campaign against the use of plastics would be held throughout the state from September one, the release said and added that the decision was taken as these solid wastes posed a threat to the health of the people. A ban on plastic cups and glasses in weddings and parties would also come into force, it said.

The use of plastics in colleges and hostels would be controlled.

Amendments would be made in the existing Waste Management Act and strong action would be taken against the persons and Institutions that violated it, it said and added hotels, auditoria and hospitals should develop their own ways to dispose the wastes.

Health and Sanitary Committees would be formed in all the panchayats in this regard, the release added.

UNI