BENGALURU: Technical education institutions across the state are no longer allowed to use plastic on the campus premises. The state department of technical education has issued an official circular asking colleges to implement ‘No plastic policy’ from the current academic year itself. The ban applies to all government, aided and private engineering and polytechnic colleges which have been directed to frame rules and circulate them among students and faculty members via notice boards and college websites.
Plastic cups/glasses at canteens and hostels will be replaced with steel ones in near future. Even during mass events like graduation day or annual day and during the visit of higher officials, plastic use will be avoided. “Considering the ill-effects of plastic on health and environment, we have taken the decision to put blanket ban on the use of plastic at colleges,” said an official of the technical education department.
On what triggered the sudden ban on plastic, the official said, “At an event organised recently at one of our government engineering colleges, we noticed almost half a truck of plastic cups and plates being used to provide lunch to students and staffers. Subsequently, we called a meeting and took the decision to implement ban on plastic on the educational premises.” Officials concerned will pay surprise visits and colleges flouting the plastic ban orders will have to pay penalty.