BANNING THE USE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTICS…IS IT THE REAL SOLUTION?

When I see this slogan, the question that comes to my mind is that - is it really feasible to ban the usage of plastics in India? Our association with plastic has come a long way. It is used in almost every single thing we see around us. Right from the milk packets that we get in the morning, to our grocery items, ready-to-eat items, frozen food etc, almost everything comes wrapped in plastics. Just imagine a life without them. How shall we get our favourite Amul Milk if there is no plastic wrap around. What about our very old, much loved biscuits, bhujia, namkeens etc? Are they all going to come in paper bags or covers? If yes, how are we then going to maintain the ecological balance if we cut more trees so as to create more paper so as to replace plastics? Moreover, have we thought through the issue? Especially about the people dependent for their livelihood on the plastic industry, a big and growing one at that?

In my view, the solution lies not in banning plastics. Yes, we can definitely use them wisely and only where absolutely necessary, reduce their usage, the simplest example being to carry our own bags when going out shopping and many such cases where we can extensively and effectively avoid their usage.

Instead of implementing bans, I feel that, more importantly, we should know about and have strict laid down rules and regulations for handling and disposal of plastics. Plastics are used all across the world with discretion. However, why is it that such filth is created here in India? It is simply because we mix biodegradable waste with plastics. If only we would resort to correct and judicious segregation of garbage in our homes, we would address this menace to a great extent. Separate and differently coloured dustbins need to be made mandatory all over the country, for each house hold so that no intermixing be allowed for biodegradable and non-biodegradable garbage. Massive awareness campaigns need to be undertaken over all forms of media, schools, colleges etc and strict penalties need to be promulgated and implemented in case of non-adherence to the norms. Proper segregation will not only help in proper disposal but also innovative reuse of plastics as well as biodegradable waste.

“PLAN, SCAN AND PAN” RATHER THAN “BAN” THE USAGE OF PLASTICS

CAN WE?