Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Corporation, which has decided to completely ban the plastic material has launched a drive to convey the message by distributing one lakh cloth bags to residents.

These plastic bags bear the message - 'I love Mangaluru city more than plastics', and also a slogan 'Namma Mangaluru - Swachha Mangaluru'.

Mayor Harinath launched the drive at the monthly general meeting of the corporation council by handing over the first bag to Deputy Mayor Sumithra Kariya and said that the state government on March 11 this year has passed an order banning various types of plastics.

He said that MCC will distribute 15000 cloth bags to students of four schools in the city adding that the civic body has invited tenders for procuring and distributing 1 lakh such bags.

The mayor said that the ban on plastic will come into effect from July 1 and the main aim behind providing the bags to schoolchildren is that they can convey the message back home. "The change has to come from within," Harinath said adding that MCC will supply the remaining cloth bags to other schools subsequently. 

He has also warned that strict action will be initiated against establishments that dispense items to customers in plastic carry bags.