Chandigarh, July 3:- Aiming to create awareness about the harmful impacts of single-use plastic bags and environmentally friendly options to SUP products, in an attempt to make the city beautiful plastic-free city, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has introduced two E-carts for compostable bags. This initiative, undertaken in association with Mobisoft Telesolutions Pvt. Ltd. under the CSR campaign "I HATE POLYTHENE," aims to make compostable bags available to vendors at reasonable rates at vegetable market, Sector 26 and Apni Mandis in different sectors.

City Mayor Sh. Kuldeep Kumar formally flagged off the two e-carts at Sector 26 vegetable market and honored vendors who encourage citizens to carry their own cloth bags for shopping or provide compostable bags at Sabzi Mandi, Sector 26.

While speaking on the occasion, the Mayor expressed his commitment to promoting sustainable practices and reducing the use of single-use plastic bags. He said that this initiative will not only raise awareness but also inspire citizens to make a positive change towards a cleaner and greener future. He emphasized that the availability of compostable bags aims to raise awareness about the harmful impact of single-use plastic bags and encourage the use of eco-friendly alternatives.

The Mayor urged citizens to say no to single-use plastic and embrace sustainable options while shopping, such as using cloth bags, jute bags, or paper bags instead of plastic ones. He emphasized the importance of reducing the usage of single-use plastic bags and promoting sustainable practices in the city.

While sharing about the initiative, MC Commissioner Ms. Anindita Mitra, IAS informed that the MCC has been implementing various initiatives to reduce plastic waste, and the availability of E-carts for compostable bags at subsidized prices is yet another step towards achieving a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future under the "Safai Apnao Bimaari Bhagao" campaign. She added that extensive challans have been initiated from July 1st onwards, and vendors have been warned not to use single-use plastic bags otherwise they will face legal action and fines as per the rules.She added that 218 challans have been issued to the violators in three days from 1st to 3rd July and 60 kgs of SUP, confiscated.

MC Joint Commissioner Sh. Gurinder Singh Sodhi also handed over appreciation certificates to the citizens who were carrying their own jute/cloth bags for shopping at Sabzi Mandi, Sector-26, to popularize the practice.