While the government plans to eliminate single-use plastic from the country by 2022, a southern state has already taken the first step to eradicate its use in the region. Mulugu district of Telangana has announced the scheme of exchange of 1kg Rice for 1kg plastic waste.
The Initiative
The scheme was launched on October 16 2019 in the Mulugu district of Telangana. It has been initiated to decrease the use of single-use plastic on the regional level so that the celebration of the Medaram festival can take place in a cleaner environment. To ease out the working, the state government has set up SUP collection points in 174 Gram Panchayat offices. District Collector, C Narayana Reddy, stated that the idea was perceived during a school competition of collecting 1000 kg plastic in exchange for a cricket kit as a reward. The theory of providing an incentive was taken from this competition.
The officials have received around 6 lakh cash and 450 quintals of rice as a donation for the project. The cash has been donated mainly by NRI’s.
The Result
According to reports, 37,679 kg of plastic and 45,000 kg of rice have been collected so far. The waste includes plastic bottles, oil cans, and other plastic containers. The drive has made the surroundings plastic-free. It has also created awareness among people about the ill effects of plastic. From 27th October, single-use plastic will be officially banned in the district.
As an alternative, the government has set up tailors in every village of the district to make cloth bags. The drive aims to collect 50 tonnes of plastic by the end. The accrued plastic will be sent for recycling and the carry bags will be converted to fuel in cement factories. In addition, a team of ‘Paryavaran Mitras’ to be appointed to guide people about disposing of plastic in the dry waste bins.
Similar scheme of rice for plastic was launched in Philippines in September. In conclusion, Mulugu drive, though on a small scale, is an effective way to get rid of the single-use plastic and plastic garbage in the area.