Hyderabad, July 02: Shoppers were in for a tough time on the first day of the ban on plastic bags of below 40-micron thickness in the city on Friday. At some stores and shopping complexes, customers were asked to pay extra for taking parcels in plastic bags of more than 40-micron thickness while a few others told customers to bring their containers to carry goods, particularly cooked items. Though some traders continued to give below 40-micron carry bags to customers, most of them said they were aware of the ban and were awaiting the stock of over 40-micron plastic carry bags.
At Anand Tiffins in Secunderabad, Mr G. Satish was shocked when he was asked to pay Rs 2 more for sambar to be packed in silver foil. At A-1 Mutton Shop in Begumpet, the owner, Mr Habeeb Khan, insisted that customers bring their containers to take mutton home. Those who did not, were given the meat wrapped in leaves and newspaper. Garden Restaurant in Secunderabad continued to give parcels in less than 40-micron thick bags. “We are expecting our 60-micron stock by evening. We are informing customers about the ban and giving them these bags,” said an employee, who did not want to be named.
Some traders and managements of malls were also in for a shock. The mayor, Ms Kartika Reddy, inspected Chennai Shopping Mall in Secunderabad and found they were giving 60-micron bags to customers free of cost. At Paradise restaurant, the mayor found the plastic bags to be 50-micron thick. The mayor praised the owner of Vijaya Stores in General Bazaar, for putting up a banner supporting the ban on plastic.