In a significant move to curb plastic waste and promote sustainable consumption, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and Verka Milk Plant, Mohali, launched a mobile milk vending van on World Environment Day. The initiative was unveiled at ATS Casa Espana residential society, offering residents fresh milk at a subsidised rate while encouraging the use of reusable containers.
Initiative Details and Pricing
The vending van provides fresh Verka milk at Rs 64 per litre, which is Rs 2 cheaper than the Rs 66 per litre charged for milk sold in conventional plastic pouches. The campaign, titled “Doodh Wahi, Plastic Nahi”, aims to reduce dependence on single-use plastic packaging. The van is equipped with a milk dispensing machine capable of holding approximately 300 litres and will be stationed at the housing society daily.
Environmental Impact
Officials stated that if the machine operates at full capacity, it could eliminate the use of nearly 600 plastic milk pouches every day within the society alone. According to PPCB estimates, a household purchasing around two litres of milk daily through the vending system could prevent almost four kilograms of plastic waste from entering the waste stream each year. Milk is a staple commodity consumed in almost every household, and even modest reductions in plastic packaging could yield significant environmental benefits when adopted on a larger scale across cities and the state.
Encouraging Sustainable Practices
By offering milk at a lower price through the vending system, the initiative seeks to encourage consumers to switch from single-use plastic pouches to reusable utensils, bottles, and containers, reviving a sustainable practice that was once commonplace. PPCB officials noted that if the pilot project proves successful, the board will work with Verka to expand the initiative to other residential societies in Mohali and subsequently to towns and cities across Punjab. The expansion could include additional mobile vending vans or the installation of permanent milk vending units at existing Verka distribution centres.
Call for Participation
Resident welfare associations and housing societies interested in hosting similar milk vending facilities have been invited to contact the PPCB for further information and collaboration. This move aligns with broader efforts to combat plastic pollution and promote eco-friendly alternatives in daily consumption.
