The Vile Parle (E) vegetable market has become cleaner and greener in the three months since it imposed a plastic ban on itself.

Since May, when the public-private trial initiative began, the BMC has noted a significant reduction in plastic wastes in the area since May. This has prevented clogging of drains and resulted in reduced flooding.

“We have noticed a sure 90 per cent fall in polythene wastes in garbage bins around the market,” says Ranjeet Dhakne, ward officer of K-East ward. He added, however, that a systematic calculation of the waste generation at the market is yet to be conducted.

Vile Parle is the only vegetable market in the city to have adopted a zero plastic policy. The model has been welcomed by civic officials, the police, residents and even vendors.

“These bags clogged gutters and drains and choked the market, especially during the monsoon. Now, our market is not flooded when it rains,” says vendor Shyamlal Yadav, who has run stalls in the market for 10 years.

Till May, Yadav used to buy 200 plastic thailis every day for about Rs 50. Now, he packs customers’ vegetables in newspapers. “Most are understanding but some question us. Thankfully the BMC has given us all a notice calling for a ban on plastics which we can put up next to our tokri,” he says, pulling out a laminated board that reads in Devnagri: “Plasticcha moha tala” (Get rid of your want for plastic).

Grocery shops, bookstores and even shops in the nearby meat market have started to follow the example.

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