By IANS,
Shimla: An innovative anti-polythene drive by Himachal Pradesh Thursday won the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, a statement said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gave the award to the state for its sustainable plastic waste management at a function in Delhi to mark the Civil Services Day.
The state imposed a ban on the production, storage, use, sale and distribution of all types of polythene bags made of non-biodegradable materials Oct 2, 2009.
The government also launched a campaign ‘Polythene Hatao, Paryavaran Bachao’ (Remove polythene, save environment) across the state in three phases.
Under the campaign, 311 tonnes of plastic waste was collected, which was then used for road surfacing.
The state Public Works Department (PWD) has tarred 300 km of roads across the state by using shredded plastic waste.
The government has also decided to bring all plastic materials like disposable plates, cups and glasses within the ambit of the ban from Aug 15.