Alternatives to plastic bags to be publicised

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 21

The 2018 theme for The Earth Day is working towards creation of a plastic free environment. Dilbir Foundation (DF), an NGO, has resolved to create awareness and work for ensuring that a visible difference ensues. Notable in the endeavours is its hash tagged campaign #SayNoToPlastic under which social media shall be used to the fullest to support this programme.

The recent decision of the SGPC to ban plastic from its premises at the Golden Temple was also welcomed by the DF. Karuna Singh, Director, Asia Pacific Region, The Earth Day Network, on her recent visit to the city was delighted to see such a substantive message going out from the holiest of holy places.

During the Rotary conference, Incoming Governor District, Davinder Singh CA, ensured that only reusable cloth bags sourced from The Earth Store of the foundation would be used. Furthermore, it has been decided that at the organic farmers market, a separate stall of sustainable plastic substitution products will be displayed on Sundays and Wednesdays to enable residents to realise the alternatives available for environmental and family health. The products on display will include sugarcane bagasse based plates and glasses as an alternative to thermocol products, corn starch non-plastic bags against plastic carry bags, recycled wooden spoons and forks against plastic and aluminium alternatives, glass safety bottles against toxic plastic ones and many more items.

DF president Gunbir Singh stressed that the importance of reducing the plastic burden cannot be emphasised enough. “The dioxin and furans that emanate from burning of municipal wastes, the clogging of the intestines of cows and city sewers, garbage accrual that just does not biodegrade for centuries are horrors that we need to be mindful and sensible about. There is, therefore, no better than the Earth Day to pledge a fight against lethal consumption of plastic, where substitution is possible,” he added.