Vasco 24th September 2024: In a commendable step towards reducing plastic pollution, the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC), in collaboration with ARZ Foundation, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC), and WISH, has launched the innovative ‘POTI’ initiative. This initiative is a major push to encourage the use of cloth bags across Vasco, a vital move to tackle the growing issue of plastic waste.
The ‘POTI’ project (an acronym for Project Old to Innovative) invites residents of Vasco, commonly referred to as Vascokars, to donate old, used clothes at a special outlet set up in the Vasco Fish Market. In exchange for these donations, contributors will receive cloth bags, promoting the resurgence of sustainable practices. The initiative focuses on transforming old clothes into reusable bags, thereby reducing the reliance on harmful plastic bags and fostering environmentally conscious habits among the citizens.
Speaking at the event, Vasco MLA Shri Krishna Salkar emphasized the need for Vasco to become a role model in environmentally friendly practices. He urged all Vascokars to contribute generously to the initiative by donating old clothes and supporting the shift towards cloth bag usage.
“I congratulate all the agencies involved in the ‘POTI’ initiative. This project not only aims to reduce plastic pollution but also promotes a culture of sustainability. The participation of Vascokars is crucial in making this project a success,” Shri Krishna Salkar stated.
The event was graced by several prominent figures, including Smt. Nandan Prabhudessai, General Manager of GWM, Shri. Rohan Ghadi, Deputy Manager, GWMC, Shri. Arun Pandey, Founder and Director of ARZ Foundation, Smt. Juliana Lohar, Deputy Director, ARZ Foundation
Councillors from the MMC, including Shri Narayan Borkar, Smt. Shami Salkar, Shri Damodar Kaskar, Shri Prajay Mayekar, and Shri Damodar Naik, were also present. Engineers from the MMC, Shri A. Mesquita and Shri Manoj Arsekar, lent their support to the initiative.
The ‘POTI’ initiative represents a significant leap forward in Goa’s efforts to mitigate environmental damage caused by plastic waste. By encouraging the community to participate actively, the project hopes to not only reduce plastic usage but also inspire other regions to adopt similar sustainable practices.
As the cloth bag resurgence continues to grow, the collaboration between GWMC, MMC, ARZ Foundation, and WISH sets an inspiring precedent for collective action in safeguarding Goa’s environment.
Vascokars, the ball is now in your court! Let’s make Vasco a greener, more sustainable city. Donate today and be part of the change!