Karwar: Since the usage of plastic has not come to an end in the city even after the ban on sale, storage, and use of plastic products and carry bags, the district administration is trying to create awareness on not using plastic products by employing loud-speakers.

The CMC has also decided to display posters outside all the shops and hotels informing the customers that plastic carry is not available and urging them to bring bags from home.

However, already grocery shops owners are telling their customers that plastic carry bags are not available, and asking them to bring bags from home. Because of this, many customers are brining cloth or jute bags for carrying the articles purchased. Even in malls too, bags produced from jute are being used.

“Since most of the plastic manufacturing units located in Hubballi have closed, plastic products are not available in the market. We are also insisting upon the customers to bring bags while coming to the sop. Only on few occasions, we had used the remaining plastic carry bags. After the strict instructions given by the CMC officials, we have stopped using plastic bags altogether,” stated Veeeresh, owner of shop in the city.

CMC Environment Engineer Mallikarjun informed that a meeting of the shop and hotel owners was held one month ago regarding the ban on the use of plastic. Therefore, there is reduction in usage of plastic materials. However, we are aware that they are still being used in some shops in the city, conducting raid on these shops is inevitable,” he added.

He informed that since the number of people visiting the number of people visiting places like Gandhi Market, Savita Circle, Subhash Circle, and Bus station is more in the evening, the CMC had decided to use loud-speakers to create awareness on the ban on plastic products. This is likely to begin shortly.