In order to create awareness regarding the ban on single-use plastics, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has been using memes. The civic body posts memes, banners and digital posters on its social media account to reach out to common citizens to create awareness to stop using single-use plastics.
From using a theme from a popular movie to sharing an example from nature, the civic body has created a buzz among citizens regarding the plastic ban. In one of the informative posters, the civic body compares the lifespan of a turtle and a plastic bag. While the lifespan of a turtle can be around 150 years, a plastic carry bag takes around 450 years to decompose. Even in the lifespan of a turtle, the plastic bag does not decompose and it continues to harm the marine ecosystem.
Similarly, the famous Telugu language movie “RRR” (“Rise Roar Revolt”) used 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ with a tagline of ‘Cleanliness Housefull’.
Even during the Covid period, the public relations department of NMMC circulated a number of memes and banners to keep people motivated to fight against the virus and stay at home to prevent the spread.
World Paper Bag Day was celebrated on July 12 and the civic body did not lose the opportunity. In another poster, a girl is holding a plastic bag in one hand and a paper bag in the other hand with the message “Plastic will only cause harm, use paper bags, stay happy and calm”.
Many citizens liked the way the civic body is spreading awareness. Sushmitha Rajan, a Nerul resident says that the memes are being circulated in many WhatsApp groups as we are liking the message.
Meanwhile, the NMMC in association with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) will be conducting an awareness workshop on July 14 in Vashi for citizens, shopkeepers, plastic makers, schools, colleges, women's self-help groups and social organizations as well as semi-governmental organizations, it has already been creating awareness with a variety of meme.
The Central Government banned single-use plastics on items ranging from straws to cigarette packets to combat worsening pollution in the country from July 1. The ban on single-use plastic items includes straws, cutlery, earbuds, packaging films, plastic sticks for balloons, candy and ice cream, and cigarette packets, among other products.
