More than a year since the plastic ban came into effect, Ganesh mandals have decided to spread awareness through the festival. With Ganeshotsav barely two weeks away, Mumbaicha Samrat Khetwadi Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal conducted their Aagman Sohala on Sunday by holding up placards of 'Say No To Plastic' during the procession.

Bigger mandals have decided to set up plastic crushers and use butter paper bags to distribute prasad for the 10-day long festival. Even though the ban on single-use plastic came into effect last June, it has been hardly successful over the past one year. Plastic bags were reportedly back in the market within a couple of months of the ban. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has collected over 60,000 kg of plastic in the last year and has imposed a total fine of R3 crore. The ban on using thermocol and plastic items had hit Ganeshotsav festivities last year. However, Ganesh Mandals were later allowed to use them. But this year they have come forward to help the environment in ways they can.