Pollution control board calls for banning single-use plastics

Kolkata: The West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) on Monday gave a call for shunning single-use plastics which triggers natural disasters such as flood and pollute the environment. Single-use plastics are used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These items include plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and food packaging materials.

“We can’t go without plastics but we must stop dumping single-use plastic. We must refuse when vendors give us items in plastic packets which can’t be used twice. That should be our resolve on the eve of World Environment Day on June 5,” WBPCB chairman Kalyan Rudra told reporters. He said the WBPCB will organise a number of functions on World Environment Day on Tuesday projecting this objective. “To stop single-use plastics, we need active participation of every citizen as this task cannot be solely accomplished by the government and the WBPCB,” Mr Rudra said. He was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ organised by the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the National Small Industries Corporation Limited.

Rudra said India has been chosen by the United Nations Environment Programme as a host for this year’s World Environment Day celebrations tomorrow, for taking constructive action against plastic pollution.

“Kolkata should play its role in making this campaign 100 per cent success,” he said. Asked if imposing fine can improve the situation, Mr Rudra said, “The WBPCB can’t impose fines on its own. But the government can empower urban local authorities to this effect.”