The National Games Village getting ready for the 35th National Games this month at Menamkulam here is set to become a plastic-free zone.
As part of the efforts to keep the Village eco-friendly and reduce the amount of waste, Green Protocol Committee of the Games has recommended a ban on plastic and disposable materials there, a release by National Games Organising Committee said.
Instead of plastic bottles, water would be served in reusable steel utensils to athletes and other officials. Food would be served on steel and ceramic plates at the Village, located about 20 km away from the capital city.
The Rs 60-crore Games venue is envisaged to accommodate over 5,000 delegates, including athletes and coaches from different states during the games which will start on January 31.
The 'Clean and Green Games' programme will be implemented with the support of the state Suchitwa Mission, the green partner of the Games.
"The Games Village will be completely eco-friendly. We are trying to expand the programme to other venues of the Games with the support of sponsors," said K Vasuki, Suchitwa Mission executive director and Games Green Protocol Committee executive co-ordinator.
According to the estimate of the Green Protocol Committee, over 8 tonnes of paper and plastic waste will be generated during the fortnight-long Games, concluding on February 14.
This could be avoided to some extent if the 'Clean and Green Games' programme is implemented successfully, the release added.
