Polls add to pollution

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, March 21, 2014:  Though its boom time for vendors of  election and publicity material for upcoming polls, increased usage of digital flexi banners, posters, huge cutouts having plastic and toxic colours is going to leave behind a huge environmental disaster.

Environmentalists and experts are raising concerns over the increased usage of plastic flexis that are non –bio degradable.  There are around 60 machines in Vizag alone that are working round the clock to meet the publicity material needs of various political parties by making these plastic banners.

Most of the political parties have shunned the paper wall posters and cloth banners, instead opting for plastic posters due to the convenience of their usage. Irrespective of their divergent ideologies, all politicians are unanimous in their choice when it comes to  usage of these vinyl posters.

Though the plastic flexis are more expensive, politicians prefer them as it’s very convenient to fix and then remove without much manpower. While a flexi banner costs between Rs 6 to 8, per square foot, a paper wall poster is much cheaper.

Thousands of such banners are being churned out on orders by hundreds of leaders of political parties.

 “Though it’s a bit of a costly affair, most politicians prefer flexi banners, cutouts, posters that come with a wooden frame. They also look very attractive and glossy than the paper ones. On every occasion to keep in touch with the public, politicians give us orders round the year. But, with these elections our orders have increased manifold since last month. We are working in shifts to meet the demand,” said, Shankar, who makes digital flexi banners on large scale in Srinagar area  

Senior professor at Andhra University’s environmental sciences department, Dr EUB Reddi, observed that the trend is alarming and a legislation should be brought in to control use of flexi banners.

“Many synthetic chemicals and toxic colours are used in printing these flexi banners. They are not degradable or decomposable that will disturb the environment. They also clog the drains and streams. Election Commission should make it mandatory that political parties should use only cloth banners and paper wall posters and restricting this plastic banner usage. EC should also do environment audit during polls. They should make this audit a mandate. These parties can also use electronic displays at important junctions and strategic locations to attract public eye,” Prof EUB Reddy told this correspondent.