Sermon for change: Vakola church youth start a mission against plastic
had started spreading awareness about plastic disposal among parishioners through social media. Going further, the group intends to reach out to residents and shopkeepers and make Vakola plastic-free.
“The response has been great because people tend to abide by a particular idea when it is the church conveying a particular message. Because there wasn’t enough awareness, we thought the youth from our church could take up this initiative,” said Fr Felix D’souza, parish priest.
Lenin D’cruz, a book designer, said that having plastic disposal drives at church helped people from the community because there is no awareness as to where the plastic needs to be disposed of. “What people usually do is just throw the bags in dump along with other waste, because there are no clear guidelines as to where one can go to dispose of plastic. Also, rather than older people, if the youth from parish speak about the plastic ban, there is a better impact because they are looked at as the future of society,” said D’cruz.
The statewide ban on manufacturing, use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic materials such as one-time-use bags, spoons, plates, PET and PETE bottles and thermocol items which was imposed on March 23, was implemented three months later. The government has relaxed the ban on the use of plastic by retailers for three months. The penalty for carrying plastic material has been fixed at ₹5,000 on the first occasion, ₹10,000 for second-time offenders and third timers will be prosecuted.