Koraput, Oct. 29 -- This sleepy town in Odisha famous for its sarees and handloom products is now in news for a noble initiative. Reason: it is providing free meal in exchange for plastic waste.

Kotpad Notified Area Council (NAC) here has kick started a unique initiative to deal with plastic waste. It is giving away free meal for one kilogram of plastic waste.

From yesterday, Aahar centres are accepting polythene bags, plastic bottles, single-use plastic materials in exchange for a Rs 5 meal.

"Plastic waste is hazardous and poses serious threat to live stocks. It chokes drains, traps birds and kills livestock apart from causing serious health hazards to humans. This is a small step to protect the environment and the health of people," ...