Agartala: In a bid to carry forward the mission to make Tripura a plastic-free state, a restaurant owner of the city launched an initiative, where a person can have a full free meal by exchanging one kg plastic.
Sankha Roy, initiator of the mission, said that about 10 MT of plastic garbage is accumulated on a daily basis and it becomes really difficult to dispose them off. It also leads to blocking of the sewerage system.
"If anyone will bring one kg of plastic, I will give them one full meal free, which includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, said Mr Roy, adding that he took the initiative to reduce the amount of plastic wastes from the state and encourage the people to stop littering.
"I had launched this campaign four days ago, but so far nobody has come up with plastics, not even the rag pickers. But I have not lost hope. I believe people will come with their plastic wastes and taste our meal,'' lamented the restauranter.
Talking about disposal of plastic waste at the restaurant, Mr Roy said, "We don't have plastic recycling unit in the state, so far. I shall deposit the segregated plastic waste to the municipal authority."
However, a senior official of Agartala Municipal Corporation, while appreciating the initiative, said that so far only 50 per cent of combine waste collection is ensured as of now, despite the seriousness of the government over the issue.
''It is rather difficult to zero down the use of single use plastic overnight because almost all packaged items, including milk, bread and medicines are supplied in plastic packets. But our effort is to reduce it substantially, at least in avoidable occasions," the officer added.(UNI)
