OREANDA-NEWS. November 30, 2012. Tata Power, India’s largest integrated power company's subsidiary, Coastal Gujarat Power (CGPL) organised an anti-plastic campaign called Plastic Mukt Gaam Abhiyaan, to free nearby villages, namely Vandh, Tunda, Nana Bhadiya and Kandagara, from the nuisance of plastic waste.

Through this three day awareness campaign, shops in Vandh, Tunda, Nana Bhadiya and Kandagara were sensitised by a group of CGPL employees who interacted and counselled the shop owners to stop giving out plastic bags and encourage customers to bring their own bags from home. Harmful effects of plastic waste on environment and cattle were also discussed with them.

During a survey carried out by CGPL volunteers in over 25 shops, plastic bag usage was observed to vary from 3 kg to 30 kg per month. The team was also happy to note that a few shops were already practicing a no plastic bag culture. Owners were encouraged to use paper bags or newspaper wrappings for packing loose items.

Speaking on this initiative, KK Sharma, chief, Mundra project, said, “We are extremely happy to be able to create awareness amongst people to take up such initiatives and make a positive impact on the society as well as the environment. Small steps in this direction go a long way in creating a big impact in the future.”

Shop owners supporting the cause were given hand-outs to help them make an appeal to their customers and stop the usage of plastic bags and join the Plastic Mukt Gaam Abhiyaan to make their villages plastic free.