Seizure of single-use plastics shows MC ban not effective

Despite the recent action by the health wing of the Municipal Corporation (MC), single-use plastic items continue to find preference among people. Daily seizure by various MC teams show some level of effort, on the part of authorities but the rampant availability and usage of banned plastic items clearly indicate a lack of strict and effective implementation.

With the seizure of nearly 350 kg of single-use plastic yesterday and 322 kg just the day before, the large presence of plastic items in the market shows that usage is still common and the ban is not being followed seriously.

Single-use plastic items are products made from plastic that are used only once and then thrown away. Common examples include plastic bags, straws, cutlery (spoons, forks, knives), plates and cups, plastic packaging and wrappers, disposable containers and others. Astoundingly, at a time, when the MC is already struggling to tackle the legacy waste lying at dumps for years, the rampant use of single-use plastic items is refilling the dumps.

The new Municipal Commissioner, Bikramjit Singh Shergill, said that after taking charge, his primary goal is the all-round development of the city, including better sanitation, improved sewage system, and a complete ban on single-use plastic. He said Health Department teams were instructed from the first day itself to strictly check the sale and use of such items. He has once again appealed to the public to avoid using single-use plastics and warned shopkeepers to immediately stop its sale or face strict legal action.

The government had earlier banned the use of single-use plastic as it does not decompose easily and remains in environment for long, causing pollution of land, water and air, harming animals, especially when ingested. It also blocks the drainage system leading to waterlogging and sanitation issues.

While residents appreciate the efforts by MC, they remain sceptical. “Earlier too during the Covid period, the government had initiated a drive to check the single-use plastic. Back then, people had started using cloth bags to go to markets and shopkeepers dared not sell such items. However, nobody knows what happened after a few weeks and then again everybody forgot about it,” said Ranjit Singh, a local resident.

While the Municipal Corporation’s efforts to seize plastic are commendable, the continuing widespread use shows that enforcement needs to be stronger and more consistent. Along with more regular checks, public awareness and participation are also crucial. Without a collective effort, the city’s dream of becoming plastic-free may remain unfulfilled.