Pune/Pimpri: The civic body of Pimpri-Chinchwad started a plastic collection drive from April 19, gaining a head-start since the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is yet to come up with a concrete public-driven collection spree.

In Pimpri-Chinchwad, the collection drive was organised at Bhosari, Moshi, Ajmera, Dighi Road, Landewadi, Bopkhel and Charoli. Corporators and local leaders were present during the inauguration.  According to Vikas Patil, President of Environment Conservation Association, an NGO supporting Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) along with Cummin’s CSR team, on the first day, 53 kg plastic was collected from E zone while 26 kg was collected from C Zone. 

“A lot of plastic bags make up 1 kg, so one can imagine how much we were able to collect,” Patil said. He expressed happiness on how people voluntarily came forward and gave away plastic bags from their homes and shops.
The PMC started with their plastic collection after the notification was issued by State on March 23. 

Prashant Karne, Health Inspector of PCMC, said, “We have been making people aware that they should deposit their stocked plastic in their respective wards and if they are not giving it to us then we go and confiscate their stock of plastic.

Everyday we confiscate one to two tonnes of plastic from traders. On Wednesday and Thursday, we confiscated plastic worth Rs 37,300 and Rs 25,000 respectively.”
Karne said the last date to deposit the plastic was  April 23, but the Mumbai High Court has extended the deadline to June 23.

ST Reader Service
    In Pimpri-Chinchwad, the plastic collection drive will be  held for two more days in the following areas: 
    April 20: Zones A, B and F (Nigdi, Chinchwad, Kalbhornagar, Ravet, Chinchwad Gaon, Walhekarwadi) 
    April 21: Zones D, G and H (Rahatni, Pimple Saudagar, Pimple Gurav, Wakad Gavthan, Thergaon, Kalewadi, Pimpri, Dapodi and Sangvi) 
    Time: 9 am to 12 pm
    For details of collection centres, contact Vikas Patil (ECA) 7798811512.