BMC launches plastic-free market initiative to combat polythene carry bags

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation is launching a pilot ‘plastic-free market’ initiative in three locations, offering cloth bags made by women’s self-help groups as an alternative to polythene. This move aims to tackle the persistent issue of plastic waste, which constitutes 60% of the city’s dry waste, by discouraging both shoppers and vendors from using single-use plastic bags.