Mangaluru: Plastic waste has been annoying factor in managing waste in the city, as it is not easily degradable. It has led to calls for bans on plastic usage especially of polythene bags.  Now the The Canara Plastic Manufacturers and Traders Association (CPMTA), Mangaluru in association with Mangalore City Corporation has come forward to partially resolve the problem by collecting and recycling the plastic waste.

Mayor Mahabala Marla inaugurated the city’s first plastic and dry waste collection centre at Kadri market here on Saturday. The Mayor praised the association for coming forward to set up the centre and assured that more such centres will be set up across the city.

B A Nazeer, President of the association requested citizens to make use of the facility. All types of dry plastic waste like carry bags, plastic bottles will be collected at the centre at maximum rates. Nazeer said  that the centre has been set up at a cost of Rs 1 lakh. “The City Corporation has assured to provide the land for the centre at the market, on lease to us. We will recycle all such waste that can be effectively recycled,” Nazeer added.

He also said the Corporation has drawn up plans to start more such centers across the city. In a related development, an NRI has initiated the work of setting up a plastic waste to fuel unit at Baikampady and work on it is nearly complete.

Ivan D’Souza, MLC, Gokuldas Nayak, in-charge MCC commissioner, corporator s Ashok Kumar Shetty, Ashok Kumar DK, Jacintha, Sabitha, health officer Dr Manjayya Shetty environment engineers Madhu Manohar, Manjunatha Shetty, and Manu Kumar, association vice-presidents Asgar Ali, Mohan Baliga, general secretary Iqbal B A, secretaries Suresh Karkera, Mohammed Haneef, advisor Balakrishna Bhat K and others were present.