Salem official urges Yercaud hotels to replace plastic bottles

Salem District Collector K. Elambahavath urged shops, hotels and resorts in Yercaud to use glass or metal bottles instead of plastic containers, The Hindu reported on October 11.

He called on traders’ associations to set their own rules for making the transition. His reported remarks advocate business self-regulation, without announcing a new ban or penalties.

The appeal is linked to ‘Pasumai Yercaud’, an initiative organised by the Rotary Club of Salem City and the Yercaud Hotel Owners Association. The project promotes reusable bags in place of disposable plastic bags and glass water bottles instead of single-use plastic bottles.

The initiative also provides for giving schoolchildren saplings to plant and maintain. Elambahavath said this was intended to develop a sense of environmental responsibility from an early age.

Awareness programmes on plastic waste had previously been held at 120 locations in the Yercaud panchayat union area from September 11 to 20. The collector urged residents and visitors to reduce plastic use to help preserve the environment of the tourist destination.