Single­screen Theatres Hit Hard By Plastic Ban

Alternatives are proving to be expensive; availability is also a concern for them

- Sanjay Vijayakumar, Sangeetha Kandavel

Single­screen film exhibi­tors, depending on plastics for packaging and wrapping food and beverages, are feel­ing the pinch from the plas­tic ban in the State.

Multiplexes, on the other hand, seemed to have adapt­ed to the ban better. For most of them, the issue is about replacing plastic­ coat­ed paper cups used for hot beverages.

Currently, Tamil Nadu has 1,127 operating public screens. Of these, 407 are complexes or multiplexes. The total number of seats in Tamil Nadu is more than 6.14 lakh.

Udeep B., managing direc­ tor, Mayajaal, said the ban was a good initiative by the State government. “We switched to paper cups in December itself. We are now using wooden plates and spoons. Areca leaf plates and cups are also being used,” he said. According to Mr. Udeep, roughly 25% of those who visit his theatre con­sume snacks at the counter.