logo
Earn Re 1 for crushing a plastic bottle in Karnataka from this World Environment Day

Earn Re 1 for crushing a plastic bottle in Karnataka from this World Environment Day

Time of India22-05-2025
Bengaluru: Soon, an empty water bottle that you trash as waste could fetch you money! All you need to do is drop those bottles into a reverse vending machine (RVM) set up by urban local bodies at various locations in your city.
The RVMs will not just crush and shred the bottle, but also give you Rs 1 in return per bottle. Determined to make Karnataka plastic-free, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) planned to unveil these RVMs in front of Vidhana Soudha during Environment Day celebrations on June 5.
Buoyed by a pilot initiative in Hubballi a few weeks ago, the board submitted a proposal to the state govt for installation within the limits of city corporations and municipalities.
PM Narendraswamy, chairperson of KSPCB, said, "If you incentivise anything, people will respond to it. Earlier, there was hardly any response to shredding machines as there were no incentives. But now the machines will give you a coin (Re 1) for every bottle that you deposit.
If you do not drop, at least the rag pickers who collect these bottles will drop them at these machines as they will get money."
Swamy clarified the machines will be installed by its manufacturer and hence, will not cost anything to the govt. "We only need to provide them with space and operational requirements. For them, the crushed, shredded plastic will be the revenue," he clarified. KSPCB also claimed it would go plastic-free and would recommend the govt to also embrace plastic-free administration aligning with the United Nations' motto 'End Plastic Pollution' from June 5.
Close on the lines of KSPCB, completing 50 years, a year-long celebration has been planned with a lot of awareness activities.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

For the first time, Nashik civic body to start stray cat sterilisation & vaccination
For the first time, Nashik civic body to start stray cat sterilisation & vaccination

Time of India

time33 minutes ago

  • Time of India

For the first time, Nashik civic body to start stray cat sterilisation & vaccination

Nashik: The civic body has launched a programme to sterilise stray cats in the city for the first time. The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) administration invited tenders from agencies and contractors registered with the Animal Welfare Board of India to catch, sterilise, and vaccinate stray cats against rabies. Currently, the civic body captures stray dogs and sterilises them through private agencies, with approximately 800 stray dogs sterilised each month. Over the past nine years, around 80,000 dogs were sterilised by the NMC administration through appointed agencies. The teams respond to complaints about stray dogs, excluding those already sterilised. After the procedure, the dogs were returned to their original locations. Last month, the NMC general body approved the civic administration's proposal for the sterilisation and vaccination of stray cats. This action aligns with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Animal Birth Control (dogs) Rules, 2022, which mandate control of the stray cat population. State govt had previously issued relevant guidelines through a circular. NMC officials said they have floated the bid for the sterilisation of stray cats and their vaccinations against rabies. The last date for bid submission is July 29. The appointed agency for cat sterilisation will be required to establish necessary facilities, including an operation theatre, a dedicated cat ward, and essential utilities such as water and electricity. The initial contract period is set for one year, with an estimated cost of Rs 20 lakh, funded under the stray animal sterilisation budget. NMC has allocated Rs 3.5 crore in its budget for the financial year 2025-26.

Sessions court denies bail to Ketan Kadam in Mithi River desilting contract scam, says he is 'key accused'
Sessions court denies bail to Ketan Kadam in Mithi River desilting contract scam, says he is 'key accused'

Time of India

time34 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Sessions court denies bail to Ketan Kadam in Mithi River desilting contract scam, says he is 'key accused'

Mumbai: The sessions court in the city denied bail to Ketan Kadam, an alleged middleman involved in the Rs 65 crore Mithi River desilting contract scam. The court observed that, prima facie, he played a crucial role in the conspiracy, causing wrongful loss to the civic body. On July 11, Additional Sessions Judge N G Shukla rejected Kadam's bail plea, and on Tuesday, in the reasoned order, observed that the probe was still ongoing. "After considering the material placed on record, it appears that the role of the applicant is crucial in setting the terms and conditions of the contract for desilting work since prior to the entering of Virgo in the MOU for the purchase of machines and entering into an agreement for hire with the contractors," the order said. The prosecutor opposing his bail stated that the BMC had given contracts for desilting the Mithi River at different sites in Mumbai to various companies by inviting tenders from 2019 to 2024. The prosecution's case was that Kadam, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Virgo Specialties Pvt Ltd, allegedly conspired with BMC officials and contractors to meddle with tender conditions, forcing contractors to hire machines from his firm. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Claiming he had no role as alleged, Kadam sought bail also on parity, citing co-accused who were released. The court observed that statements from several witnesses, including high-ranking BMC officers, are yet to be recorded in the case. The court perused the material on record and observed that "the applicant (Kadam) personally gained various amounts from the contractors in the bank account of his shell company… This material prima facie shows that the applicant is the key accused in the conspiracy of causing wrongful loss to BMC." The case, being investigated by EOW, is against 13 persons.

Short of funds, VNSGU leases out ground without tender
Short of funds, VNSGU leases out ground without tender

Time of India

time34 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Short of funds, VNSGU leases out ground without tender

Surat: Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) has leased out its 14.72-acre ground for Rs 62.50 lakh to a private entertainment group to organize garbas for ten days this Navratri. The university said it made this decision owing to a shortfall of funds and aimed to generate revenue from its properties. VNSGU implemented a policy that permits leasing the ground for garbas without tenders. VNSGU vice-chancellor Dr Kishorsinh Chavda told TOI, "We have 600 non-teaching and 120 contracted teaching and temporary staff whom we pay from our own funds. As govt does not pay their salaries, we must look for alternative revenue. We cannot raise fees to meet these expenses. The price of labour has also doubled, and we now pay labourers Rs 500 a day. Water, electricity, security and housekeeping expenses have also increased manyfold. We thought about leasing our properties. We framed a standard operating procedure based on which we gave the contract to the first person who came forward. We may go for tenders to lease out the ground from next year." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Under the agreement, the 14.72-acre ground opposite the VNSGU main building has been leased to Yashwi Entertainment Group for Rs 2.5 lakh per day for 10 days (Rs 25 lakh) for Navratri garbas. Additionally, Rs 37.50 lakh has been charged for the pre-Navratri days for preparation. Chavda added that the govt does not give universities funds for maintenance and other expenses, compelling them to create their own revenue streams to cover these. "We will ensure that our students in hostels are not disturbed through such events," said Chavda.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store