There should be sustained efforts from the BMC to enlighten people about the ban. (Representational image) Mumbai: While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is claiming big achievements over the plastic ban implementation, civic activists and citizens have alleged that civic body’s action has been slowed down after the initial burst.According to civic activists, people had taken the plastic ban into right spirit and had started supporting it. Many people had stopped using plastic carry bags for the fear of violating the ban.. But it now seems to be lacking in PP sheets it. However, with the action now becoming slack, the impact of the ban is fading away.After the plastic ban came into force from June 23, the BMC started taking action against banned plastic by forming special teams of inspectors, which are called as blue squads. “Just next to the BMC headquarters, I find hawkers selling banned plastic garbage bags on the foot-over bridge.”Citizens have said that despite the ban, the plastic bags are available everywhere. “There is a need of creating more awareness among people about the plastic ban.”Activists have also called for greater public awareness for the effective implementation of ban. But the fact is that the initial effect is no more. If this is the situation near the BMC office, you can imagine the scene in other parts of the city,” said Rudresh Satpute from Lalbaug. Whenever I visit Matunga market, I see lot of people, including vendors, using plastic carry bags. The BMC initially had taken several steps in that direction. However, these bags are now seen everywhere.Civic activist Nikhil Desai from Matunga said, “The BMC is giving tall figures to emphasize on the success of plastic ban.According to civic activists, people had taken the plastic ban into right spirit and had started supporting it

There should be sustained efforts from the BMC to enlighten people about the ban. (Representational image) Mumbai: While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is claiming big achievements over the plastic ban implementation, civic activists and citizens have alleged that civic body’s action has been slowed down after the initial burst.According to civic activists, people had taken the plastic ban into right spirit and had started supporting it. Many people had stopped using plastic carry bags for the fear of violating the ban.. But it now seems to be lacking in PP sheets it. However, with the action now becoming slack, the impact of the ban is fading away.After the plastic ban came into force from June 23, the BMC started taking action against banned plastic by forming special teams of inspectors, which are called as blue squads. “Just next to the BMC headquarters, I find hawkers selling banned plastic garbage bags on the foot-over bridge.”Citizens have said that despite the ban, the plastic bags are available everywhere. “There is a need of creating more awareness among people about the plastic ban.”Activists have also called for greater public awareness for the effective implementation of ban. But the fact is that the initial effect is no more. If this is the situation near the BMC office, you can imagine the scene in other parts of the city,” said Rudresh Satpute from Lalbaug. Whenever I visit Matunga market, I see lot of people, including vendors, using plastic carry bags. The BMC initially had taken several steps in that direction. However, these bags are now seen everywhere.Civic activist Nikhil Desai from Matunga said, “The BMC is giving tall figures to emphasize on the success of plastic ban.According to civic activists, people had taken the plastic ban into right spirit and had started supporting it

BMC will upload list of manufacturers of alternative carry bags. (Representational image) Mumbai: Shopkeepers in the city are facing a challenge in finding alternative carry bags following the plastic ban. As such, it is important that there should be a strict and proper disposal of the plastic items collected.Following the state government’s notification to the municipal corporations last Friday, in which it directed local bodies to come up with implementation plans for the plastic ban and for disposing the existing stock of ban items, the BMC has decided to install collection points in market areas of all wards, including the BMC markets. Plastic bags for packaging milk, bags of thickness less than 50 microns have been permitted to remain in use.Meanwhile activists have highlighted concerns over the recycling process post the disposal of existing stock by shopkeepers and customers. The civic bodies should also make the recycling plans public so that NGOs or other organisations who are working on the waste recycling could come forward and contact them,” said Rohit Joshi, a Thane based activist. As such we will be releasing the list of manufacturers, who could supply cloth bags, paper bags, jute bags and even biodegradable plastic bags. As such, there will be at least one collection point in each ward,” added Ms Chaudhari. China PVC sheets factory Meanwhile activists have highlighted concerns over the recycling process post the disposal of existing stock by shopkeepers and customers.

At some instances, it has been found that even the segregated waste collected from societies is dumped at the landfill sites by the cleaning workers.“We have been communicated that the shopkeepers are facing the problem of alternatives to plastic bags. We are generating the list from each ward, so that shopkeepers can access information in a click,” said Nidhi Chaudhari, deputy municipal commissioner, working on the planning process of implementation of plastic ban in the city.What is bannedProducts manufactured from plastic and thermocol (polystyrene) like disposable dish or bowl, cups, plates, glasses, fork, spoons, containers, straw, non-woven polypropene bags, pouches, all of which are commonly used for packaging food items including liquids and food grains. We will also be conducting awareness drives in these areas. BMC officials stated that within two days, around 100 manufacturers of alternative bags have approached them and the civic body is expecting more manufacturers in the coming week. “The full list of the sites will be finalised this week, however we have zeroed in on famous market places like Crawford, Colaba, the Linking Road, Chembur, Mulund and Borivali market among others.What is not bannedPlastic material used for packaging medicines and drugs have been exempted from this ban.. In its bid to help shopkeepers, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will be uploading a list of manufacturers of paper bags, jute bags and biodegradable plastic for each ward. BMC officials stated that it was also giving shopkeepers a month’s time for getting rid of all the banned items, after which it will start checking the shops and markets

The cozy café has both low level and table seating, with Zizou exuberantly welcoming newcomers. We have decided to keep next weekend as a tentative time for the opening of that section,” says Niharika, the owner of Pawfect Life, as she sits in her office with two puppies vying for her attention.Pawfect Life is not the only place in the city where one can get their daily dose of doggie therapy. The kennel, located in a factory building in Marol, has none of the usual cages or air of gloominess. “I’ve had Zizou for two years now, but I’ve always had one of my dogs or the other hanging around in Gostana. Several eateries in the city also have special facilities for dogs, such as Gostana, where you can play with their resident canine companion Zizou and bring along your own pet, or Dollally Taproom and Zoobar, where special events are often organised for pets and pet-parent bonding.Bonding with felines at Cat Cafe Studio. Instead, there’s a large enclosure where the dogs play with each other and their human pals, clamouring for their attention and affection.At the moment the kennel only acts as a fun lodging for dogs and a couple of cats, while their pet parents are out on trips or away for the weekend.

Dog-lovers in the city, who do not have the space or time to have their own pet pooches will also be glad to know that a dog kennel in the city — Pawfect Life — will now have fixed times for people to come and have some fun with man’s best friends. Pet owners in the city have plenty of places to visit where they can have their pooches and kitties tagging along. Niharika, now plans to bring in her own dogs, specially for visitors. “It’s a complete madhouse here, but that’s the way we love it,” Niharika adds, over the din of the barking dogs. Though not pet-friendly at the moment, Gostana will soon host pooches and kitties once more. Gostana, located in Bandra, is known not just for its healthy snacks, but also for its star attraction — a labrador named Zizou..

Take Cat Café Studio, for instance, which gives a temporary home to stray cats and then finds them homes. I love dogs, but I don’t have one, so this works out great,” she says.While several other eateries also take an extra effort to make pet parents feel at home, perhaps the best-known animal-friendly eatery is the Cat Café Studio in Versova, which has been attracting the city’s cat lovers for years.“Though we’re not allowing pets right now, because Zizou hasn’t been keeping well, we hope to resume our pet-friendly days after the monsoons, wherein we cook and curate meals for both the owners and pets,” Arpana adds.These cafes and kennels have taken the words pet-friendly to heart and come up with ways to forge new bonds between pets and their human friends.

Now with the new Mew-ga (cat yoga) classes added into the mix, there’s a renewed interest in the café.Niharika and her furry friends. It’s a nice place to chill out and I like spending time with Zizou too. Senain Sawant, a regular at the café, sits with a cup of dessert and the adorable lab resting his head on her lap. Apple was another of my dogs who was a hit with the customers,” says Arpana Gualani, the owner of the café.“It was actually thanks to a misunderstanding when an online portal mistakenly printed that we allow people to come in. From grooming centres to pet-friendly cafes and restaurants, Mumbai has always been welcoming of man’s furry friends. “I come here a lot because my friend is doing a summer job here. However, animal lovers in the city will be happy to know that there are a few spaces that take an extra effort to nurture the bonds between people and pets. According to Yashmi Adani from the Cat Cafe team, cat yoga is China PP sheets manufacturers a great way to destress, since both petting cats and yoga are known to be great stressbusters. At the time we didn’t, but so many people showed an interest in coming and playing with the dogs that we decided to incorporate that as well. “When Priti Jhavar, who conducted our two workshops, came and told us about the concept for yoga with cats, we thought why not give it a try?” she says, adding that the workshops were such a success that they’re now a regular event at the cafe. The furry Gostana family

They have also introduced burlap – a rough textured cloth woven from jute or hemp, transforming completely to a healthy environment. Students working on the Aerobic Bio Composter The whole world is slowly and steadily adapting to sustainable living, a lifestyle promoting not only conscious efforts to save natural resources, but also to encourag and recycle.Praising the state for banning plastic in Maharashtra, Pinky says, “I believe the ban by the government is a move in the right direction as it can have an impact on a monumental scale. Children are involved in collecting wet waste from the school’s kitchen and are taught the process of converting the waste into something useful. And while we have societies and organisations going plastic free, there are tiny tots who have embarked on this noble journey.Moving forward, the school has replaced wholesale PVC sheets factory cornstarch plastic garbage bags with the regular ones.

The school is now conducting collection drives for E-waste and plastic waste in order to help the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Along with the students, even the teachers have shifted to using only fountain pens and wooden pencils instead of plastic.For one, Borivali-based JBCNInternational School has banned plastic from the campus and has also initiated various eco-friendly measures, such as composting, segregation and recycling waste generated in the school.On the premises, Aerobic Bio Composters are installed. The composter maintains the aerobic condition for composting of garden and kitchen wet waste, which is an easy and reliable source of quality compost for garden consumption. All collected waste will be given to the BMC’s recycling department throughout the year.The process involves putting the wet waste, which is a type of organic waste decomposed into humus.“We are generating awareness among our students and parents to take concrete steps to keep a plastic free campus,” says Pinky.“We are generating awareness among our students and parents to take concrete steps to keep a plastic free campus,” says Pinky.The school will move on to getting the administrative staff to use these newspaper pens after the students and teachers, before working on the society at large.And the school doesn’t just stop here. Anything plastic — be it a pen, tiffin boxe or water bottles — have all have been substituted with metal and steel. The latter is an organic component for the soil formed by decomposition of leaves and other plant material. To imbibe and make the understanding of a clean and greener environment for students, they have involved students in making pencils and pens from newspapers, which they also use.The authorities have also included cloth material to use for banners, instead of flex, which is a fabric coated with plastic. Not only this, the school authorities have also kept cloth bags at the entrance and offer these to anyone who walks into the premises carrying plastic.A visitor given the paper bag in exchange of plastic“Our group schools have adopted a plastic-free approach on our campuses, and we are in the process of phasing out the use of plastic and adopting the use of more sustainable materials,” says Pinky Dalal, chairperson, and founder of the school