As Tamil Nadu gears up to become a plastic-free State from 1st January 2019 onwards, Ekal Study Circle – Coimbatore is taking the initiative to spread awareness amongst public about the dangers of using plastic and environment friendly alternatives to plastic.

Ekal Abhiyan is a movement which is driven by many organisations to achieve the common objective of holistic development of Rural and Tribal India. EkalSansthan’s mission is to bring forward the ideas, which can change the landscape of rural and tribal development in India.

SAY NO TO PLASTIC was the theme of the latest Study Circle Meet held recently at Kongunadu Arts and Science College (KASC).

A panel discussion on this theme witnessed the participation of Dr. Raja Selvaraju, Asst. Professor, Zoology and Coordinator of the Eco Club at KASC ,R. Dhanapal, Manager, Suguna Industrial Training Institute, Coimbatore, Sangeetha Subhash, Apex Member, Siruthuli Coimbatore and P Roopa Prasanth, Member, RAAC, Coimbatore

Dr. Raja took a global perspective on the usage of plastics and explained to the students how the extensive use of plastics over the past several decades has adversely impacted the oceans and made even products of daily use such as sea salt and edible fish toxic to humans. In his opinion, humankind has reached the point of no return in the pollution caused by plastics.

Kovai Dhanapal motivated the students to reduce the dependency on plastic in their day-to-day lives, and exhorted them to take a pledge to stay away from single-use plastics.

Sangeetha Subash spoke on how plastics have created problems in Coimbatore with pictures of plastic materials polluting our nearby lakes and rivers, as well as the unmanageable volume of waste entering our dump yards every day. She requested the students to take up composting of the biodegradable waste generated in their homes so that the pressure on the dumpyards can be minimised as well as excellent manure for plants created.

The students were about the anti-plastics law that is to take effect starting January 1, 2019, and also displayed and explained the various alternative products available today to replace the day-to-day plastics we use in our residences, said Roopa Prasanth.

Coimbatore based social organizations such as BharatiPark Ladies Association (BAPLA), Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore (RAAC) and Siruthuli also took part.