Choolaimedu Exnora Innovator’s Club recently organised “My Shopping My Bag,” an awareness programme, to urge residents of the locality to reduce the usage of plastics.

This event was organised in a bid to create awareness on the government of Tamilnadu’s plastic ban, that would be implemented from 1 January 2019.

Speaking during the event, secretary of the Choolaimedu Exnora Innovator’s club, S Kasturi Rangan thanked the government for banning one-time use and throwaway plastics.

The chief guest of the programme, Zonal Officer, Zone-9, Greater Chennai Corporation, S Anitha, said, “It is the land that is getting polluted due to the dumping of bio-non-degradable waste. By putting an end to the consumption of plastic like throwaway items and carry covers irrespective of thickness, this is an opportunity to preserve the eco-system and our health as well.”

“We have to stop using unnecessary products like covers from 1 January 2019. We have to choose more stable materials for usage. We need to ensure a safe environment for our future generations,” she added.

During the event, Exnora also requested the Merchants Associations and Platform Vendor’s Associations in Choolaimedu, to switch over to paper or cloth bags for packing goods.

“More people should be made aware about it and residents can make it a viral campaign, by spreading this message through phone and other means,” Rangan said.

General Merchants Association members, Choolaimedu Samathuva Merchants and Choolaimedu Nelson Manickam Road General Merchants members and vendors who attended the event, assured co-operation.

Sources said, Choolaimedu Exnora further requested the government to form Zonal level or area level committee that consists of officials, representatives from the community organisation and public to create awareness on this issue.