The Collectorate here was declared as plastic waste-free campus on Monday, thanks to the initiative of District Collector Rohini R. Bhajibhakare.

This is a prelude to the initiative of the district administration to achieve plastic waste-free district status for Salem soon.

The Collector has slapped a ban on using plastic and polythene articles such bags and cups on the Collectorate campus. The officers serving in the various government departments functioning in the college and the visitors have been directed to avoid bringing food and other items covered in plastic bags and boxes. The officials and the visitor should not also use plastic and polythene tea cups in the campus.

On the direction of the Collector, stickers with the slogans ‘plastic waste free Collectorate campus’ has been displayed in front of all the departments and also at vantage points in the Collectorate.

A statement of the Collector issued here said that plastic and polythene materials caused much harm to the individuals and the environment. The district administration has proposed to take steps in a phased manner to ease out usage of plastic articles in both the urban and rural centres in the district.

The hotels, tea stalls and other trading houses have been directed not to provide eatables and other items in plastic bags. Plastic cups should not be used for the provision of tea and coffee. Instead, the shops and eateries have been directed to use environment free cloth bags.

The Collector directed the officials of the food safety, Corporation, municipalities and panchayats to conduct surprise check in the hotels and shops to put an end to the usage of plastic materials.

Mr. Rohini called upon the people belonging to all sections of society to extend a helping hand to put an end to the usage of plastic articles and enable the district to achieve ‘plastic wastes free district’ status soon.