The Indian Fertilizer Industry Association (FAI) plans to inform farmers and dealers of the need to recycle multi-purpose plastic used to pack fertilizers, a fertilizer company top manager said.

Informing the press about Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers (MCF) Ltd's plans to handle plastic waste in Mangalore on Friday, Prabhakar Rao, director of MCF, said the package used to pack fertilizers consists of HDPE (high density polyethylene), LDPE ( low density polyethylene) and polypropylene.

The FAI asked Gem Enviro Management Pvt Ltd to examine these bags. Gem Enviro then turned to farmers and dealers in seven districts to study the use and life cycle of these bags. According to Rao, the FAI has plans to educate fertilizer dealers and farmers about the need to transfer such bags to processors after they are fully used.

According to Rao, MCF has prepared a 3-step plastic waste management action plan. At the first stage, the company conducts educational programs on the management of plastic waste in educational institutions until October 1.

In the second stage, on October 2, plastic waste will be collected in Mangalore. The event will be attended by company employees and students. In the third stage, the company will coordinate work with local recyclers for recycling plastic waste.

Local authorities and organizations, such as the Karnataka State Pollution Control Council and the Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology, will be participating in this phase from October 3-22. In addition, the company's marketing network will inform dealers and farmers about the need for recycling of multi-purpose packaging materials.