PCMC’s intiative on plastic waste management ; Give plastic bottles and get vada pav

Kalyani Nikumbh
Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has launched a unique initiative to curb use of plastic. The civic body is asking food vendors to hand over five empty plastic bottles and get one cup of tea and while if one deposits ten empty plastic bottles will get one vadapav.

PCMC’s initiative of plastic management aims at reducing the plastic menace. PCMC plans to rope in small hoteliers in the city or taparis, handcart sellers. If garbage collectors or other citizens collect empty plastic bottles of water and soft drinks and deposit them at this vendor, they will get tea and vada pav in return. So, the sellers will be reimbursed by the municipal corporation. Municipal corporation has invited applications for this.

These food vendors will have to work with PCMC for this initiative. After transferring the weight of the collected empty plastic bottles will be measured and the vendors will be reimbursed accordingly. The vendors need to apply and register with the municipal corporation. Applications can be submitted by registering at the head office, health department, 2nd floor, PCMC, main administrative building. The registered hotelier or tapari, handcart seller needs to have an official food license as well as cleanliness in the place of business.

“The one who collects five plastic bottles will get a cup of tea. Corporation will pay Rs 10 to the hotelier. So, if ten bottles are collected, one vadapav will be given. In return, the corporation will pay Rs 15 to the hotel owner. It is one step towards making PCMC clean and plastic free, ‘ said Rajesh Patil, commissioner, PCMC.