Flower bouquets are ubiquitous symbols of Valentine’s Day, but they are fast becoming a bane for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which has decided to crack down on those offerings of love that are packaged in plastic.
Though plastic ban has already been implemented in the city, most florists use either plastic film or polypropylene wraps for bouquets. Plastic is even used for individual stems.
A florist on Mathikere Main Road, who has already received many orders for Valentine’s Day, admitted that he was using plastic sheets. A sponge, which is not biodegradable, is used for bigger flower arrangements.
“The other option is to use cloth,” he said, referring to non-woven polypropylene sheets.
BBMP’s Special Commissioner (Solid Waste Management) D. Randeep told The Hindu that he had already instructed the Chief Health Officer and team of health officials in the civic body to seize plastic used in bouquets and flower arrangements, apart from slapping a penalty on florists. Officials have been instructed to identify key locations across the city.
“Bouquets and flower arrangements continue to be the biggest offenders of plastic ban. The problem is that there are many small florists across the city and it is difficult to crack down on them,” said Mr. Randeep. He added that the civic body was hoping to use Valentine’s Day to create awareness among citizens, particularly florists, about the different items covered under plastic ban.
Odette Katrak from Beautiful Bengaluru, a citizen-led waste management group, said florists, who do not use plastic films and plastic ribbons, are of the opinion that non-woven polypropylene sheets are an eco-friendly version. “However, they don’t realise that even these sheets are covered under the plastic ban. The common misconception is that polypropylene is cloth,” she said.
Most florists don’t segregate waste. So, flower stems and withered flower and other green waste often gets mixed with plastic waste.
Activists are calling upon citizens to spread awareness among florists and urge them to use paper and cloth ribbons that are recyclable and reusable.
