Shops in various parts of Salem district have already started using cloth and paper bags. | Photo Credit: E_LakshmiNarayanan more-in With the State Government imposing total ban on the manufacture, sale, storage and usage of disposable plastic products across the State with effect from January 1 next, the trading community is slowly gearing up to meet the situation. Many of the shops, both in the urban and rural areas, have started using cloth and paper bags, as a prelude to the ban. The official machinery has already started introducing alternatives to replace plastic products. Salem Corporation, on its part, imposed a ban on the use of plastic items in the Central and State Government offices, government hospitals, primary health centres and educational institutions from July 1. Following its success, the Corporation banned marketing and usage of disposable plastic items in shops and other business establishments functioning in the new bus stand, old bus stand and surrounding areas from August 1. Some hotels and roadside eateries have urged their customers to bring vessels and they have displayed boards in this regard. Bakeries, hotels and shops are using paper bags and cloth bags. People have started taking cloth bags from home to purchase vegetables, fruits and groceries. Salem Corporation conducted a few meetings with people involved in the manufacture of alternative products to replace plastic carry bags. The authorities held interaction sessions with people manufacturing jute, cloth and paper bags in the last few months. In Vazhappadi and surrounding areas, people have started making paper bags taking orders from the hotels, tea stalls and grocery shops.

Stay updated with all the Coimbatore Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.