Even permitted plastics items being seized, complain traders

Vellore Traders Association president RP Gnanavelu said, “Officials seized all plastic products including the ones taht are not banned, affecting small traders. We had raised this issue with Environment and Pollution Control minister KC Karupannan and he categorically stated that only the banned items should be seized.”

A total of 15 tonnes of banned plastic products were seized from Long Bazaar, a few days back..

S Prasanth, a seller, said, “My business is totally affected as the demand for snacks packed in paper bags has dipped drastically since the parcels absorbed oil and turned the chips soft.”

When asked why permitted items were also being seized, corporation health officer (CHO) T Manivannan said, “We seize only banned products. Traders know what items are banned. But they hoard them despite knowing that it is an offence.”

Banned products, include plastic cups, plates, plastic coated items, non-woven bags, plastic straws, plastic sheets, plastic water pouches, plastic carry bags and plastic flags.

“Corporation officials test plastic by lighting a candle and if it burns, they seize the product,” the CHO explained. When asked what happens to the seized products, officials said they would be sent to cement factories in Ariyalur district.