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A recently installed ‘plastic bank’ at Old MLA hostel area in Kohima. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 10 (EMN): In yet another Smart City initiative, four plastic banks have been installed recently in Kohima. Initiated by the Kohima Smart City Development Limited (KSCDL), the banks were installed to enable segregation of plastic bottles from other wastes.
On October 2, five Smart Water ATMs were installed at various locations to discourage the use of bottled drinking water in Kohima.
Chief Executive Officer of KSCDL Kovi Meyase told Eastern Mirror, “Post-ban they (plastic bank) are being installed to encourage public to adapt to a habit of being mindful of the use/throwing of plastic bottles/items.”
Plastic banks have been installed at “critical locations” of Kohima, including High School Jn., Razhü Point near the bus stop, Old MLA Hostel area, and at BOC bus stand, he informed.
Unfortunately, despite the clear pictographic representation of plastic bottles, the banks are already being stuffed with other wastes, Meyase said. He went on to add that “if the signs of change in the habits of the citizens are encouraging, we plan to install more”.
Last month, the state government had banned single-use plastic in any form. On this, he said that total ban on single-use plastic at one go is almost an impossible task. But they can be recycled if segregated properly, he added.
The collected wastes will be taken to the recycling unit at Lerie, Kohima. “We are already in touch with the PWD for them to use the shredded plastic in their road constructions,” he added.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary of Urban Development I Himato Zhimomi tweeted: “This (installation of plastic banks) will be done in all cities and towns in Nagaland.” He requested public to cooperate, recycle, and no to litter.
Kohima generates about 70-80 metric ton of waste on daily basis, out of which 80% is dry. Most of the dry wastes were found to be plastic materials—bottled drinking water, disposable cups and plates, carry bags, glass etc., according to the State Investment Programme Management and Implementation Unit (SIPMIU) data.
A study showed that 1,00,000 of plastic bottles are bought every minute, which is equivalent to 20,000 bought per second. The Euromonitor International reported that 480 billion of plastic drinking bottles were sold in 2016, out of which 7% were turned into new bottles.