New Delhi: In Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, a man can be seen dressed using polythene bags and roaming on the streets on a bicycle. The reason behind him being dressed as a ‘dustbin’ is that he wants to create awareness of how much waste is generated by plastic products. As part of his awareness campaign, Bhagar, on a daily basis, visits schools and engages children in talks with the help of his unusual attire.

While speaking to news agency ANI, Bishnu Bhagat, popularly known as a ‘chalta firta dustbin’ said his main aim is to create awareness about the hazards of using plastics, be it sipping tea in a plastic cup or carrying shopping bags made of plastic. In order to combat plastic pollution and other environmental issues, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5, had pressed for the need to reduce consuming plastic.

Bhagat said "I just want to send out a clear message to people that plastic is very harmful to the environment. I am wearing this dress made of plastic so that I can also teach children regarding the same. I urge you all to not to use plastic and its products in order to keep the environment clean and green."

"Moments after, I saw a cow chewing that plastic bag along with the food, it pained me. After a couple of days, I was informed that the same cow died because of consuming the plastic. From that day, I decided that I will make efforts to create awareness among the masses about the pollution caused by plastic and the products made from it," he added.

India generates about 25,940 tons of plastic and more than 97,000 tons of solid waste per day, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had revealed in June. In order to combat plastic pollution and other environmental issues, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5, had pressed for the need to reduce consuming plastic.

(Additional input from agencies)