To enforce the single-use plastics ban, one district collector in Telegana District in India is getting creative. Each citizen will receive one kilogram of rice when they return one kilogram of plastic waste between October 16-26. The Chief Minister of the state requested that citizens ban single-use plastics.

Plastic has been a scourge on the nature and forests in the area. Trying to make the district primed for eco-tourism, removing plastic helps that along. 250 single-use plastic collection areas have been set up to collect the plastic. District Collector C Narayana Reddy also requested that people stay away from plastic bags.

Collected plastics are handed off to cement manufacturing companies. District Collector Reddydid not say if they would be used in roads. District Collector Reddy said this is the first step in making the district plastic-free. Calling plastic “a grave threat to the environment,” he urged citizens to participate.

India had originally planned to ban single-use plastics across the country in October, but stopped the ban ahead of its deadline.  The burden to reduce has shifted to the states. This state has taken up the mantle of reduction, finding creative ways to get plastic off the streets.

Globally, single-use plastic has been a significant problem. Countries are trying to tackle the mounting plastic in their landfills and on their beaches. Plastic production does not show signs of slowing down. As plastic breaks down, it turns into microplastics which are harmful to animals if they ingest it.

Read more about plastic in One Green Planet, including news about this sea turtle found with plastic in its belly. And read about a new movie that tells the story of plastic.

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