Speaking to a group of more than 1,000 traders at Marina Beach, the Mayor said, “Since the beach is one of the important recreational spots for Chennaiites as well as for tourists who visit the city, keeping it clean and plastic-free has become a necessity.” Explaining the move of banning the use of plastics at the beach by the civic body to the traders, the Mayor said, “As per the decision, ban would be imposed on food items like eatables, tea, coffee and others given in plastic cups and packed in plastic materials sold on the Marina Beach."