In an eco-friendly move aimed at discontinuing the use of plastic, hotels and restaurants in Tamil Nadu will now offer a 5% discount if patrons bring their own utensils for takeaways or parcel orders.

According to a report in The Hindu, the Tamil Nadu Hotels Association, comprising over 10,000 members, passed a resolution to this effect on Sunday.

Speaking to the newspaper, M Ravi, President of the Chennai Hotels Association said, "On an average, each food parcel costs us around 3% to 4% of the bill amount. If customers bring their own utensils, they can benefit from it. We have asked members to put up boards at their restaurants informing the customers about the offer."

On June 5 this year, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami announced that plastic will be banned in the state from January 1, 2019.

A House Select Committee tasked with looking into how the move will be implemented had recommended the ban of non-biodegradable and single-use plastic, and had recommended the use of natural, environmentally friendly products like banana leaves and lotus leaves. It also recommended restricting the use of plastic for daily-use products like milk, curd, oil and medicines.

The ban aims to free Tamil Nadu from the use of plastic papers, covers, plates, cups, straws and flags. The ban also aims to stop industries from manufacturing and selling these items.

Listing the dangers that use of plastic has on the environment and on animals, the Chief Minister had said, “With the vision of gifting a plastic-free Tamil Nadu to our future generation, the government hereby bans the use of plastic goods of all sizes (microns).”

According to The Hindu, some restaurants in the state have already begun the use of wrapping takeaways in banana leaves and thaiyal elai, making the switch from plastic.

Speaking to PTI, one Hotels Association member said, "Aluminium foils are used during packing instead of plastic bags; banana leaves also come in handy. The discount offer is to make customers bring their own containers."