Open House: How can the administration ensure proper implementation of the ban on single-use plastic?

Give incentives, reward citizens

The overdependence on single-use plastic is actually quite detrimental for the health of the entire ecosystem. It wreaks havoc on the whole atmosphere and affects the life cycle. The governments have adopted an absolutely acceptable course-correction path by putting a blanket ban for the welfare of one and all. The need of the hour is that the citizens should show some strong intent, behave like law-abiding citizens and stop using plastic. Any negligence and violation should be dealt with strictly and seriousness by the administrative organisations. Mere imposing fine will not serve the purpose. In addition, incentive can be given to the ones who adhere to the law in letter and spirit. Public recognition via mainstream media and social media channels can prove to be quite instrumental in acknowledging the contribution of responsible citizens. The people must be made aware about the innovative alternatives. The green bags made of banana leaves, the baskets made of bamboo sticks, earthen pots or bottles and jute products should be utilised fully. Let us take a vow and put our honest and sincere efforts to eradicate the practice of single-use plastic forever and ever.

Simranjeet Singh Saini

Take strict action against violators

Until the announcement of the ban, no concrete steps had been taken to prohibit the use of plastics which rather increased manifold over the years, giving spurt to dreaded diseases like cancer, tuberculosis and other chronic infections. Resistant to easy decomposition, plastic goods are found scattered near solid waste dumps and even along roads, where ragpickers are seen collecting it for onward sale to recycling units.

Despite the ban, however, shops continue to sell the prohibited items as usual. Perhaps, the authorities are not clear on the strategy to be adopted to enforce the restrictions. Under the situation, when many households and NGOs are still wary of the implementation of the ban, how will it make a difference is intriguing? Nevertheless, the initiative is a step in the right direction, which will help keep an effective check on pollution and better upkeep of our surroundings. The need is, therefore, to enlarge the ambit of the ban to include all plastic items, so that problem is solved once for all. For effective implementation, officials must deal with violators strictly and launch awareness campaign vigorously to switch over to alternative eco-friendly products made of bamboo, wood, glass, steal, brass, etc. Obviously, it is a collective responsibility of us all to make the ban successful by voluntarily discarding the use of recycled plastics.

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

Make people aware of harm caused by plastic

It’s a wise move by the Central and state governments to ban the single-use plastic items. These wreak havoc on our environment and pose dangers to animals which swallow them unknowingly. If plastic items are burned, these release toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide. These toxic gases are harmful to health. Plastics not only damage water bodies, but also destroy fauna and flora. Some eight million tonnes of plastic waste enter the oceans every year. Instead of using plastic items, we should use items made of organic substances like clothes bags or cotton bags, which are not very long lasting, but get desecrated soon, unlike plastic.

We as citizens should be made aware of such issues so that the ban on plastic goods is implemented successfully. The authorities should wake up to control the items of single-use plastic. The Central and state authorities have to take some strict measures to implement the ban. The government and local authorities should make public aware of damaging effects of plastic goods. Some people and NGOs are doing yeoman service by trying to protect the health of humans, wildlife and the environment.

Dr JS Wadhwa

biodegradable items must be promoted

Plastic has become a part and parcel of our lives so much so that staying away from it is quite challenging now. It is important to find alternatives to plastic because it is becoming a nuisance and our planet is getting choked with it. In the past, things were wrapped in paper or paper bags, which are safe for making compost. Same goes with cardboard.

Let’s start and decide to say no to plastic which pollute land, water and air. Replace all plastic items with wooden and bamboo household items. Silicone is also another option which is flexible and heat tolerant. Replace plastic bags with ones made of cloth, which is easy to use, reuse and washable.

The government should issue guidelines to big companies to start using glass bottles to sell jams, pickles and squashes. Steel is also better option which is more durable and easy to clean. We all should pledge and commit for clean, green and pollution-free earth.

Shashi Kiran

Keep a check on manufacturers

The nationwide ban on plastic items of single use is highly laudable and is a landmark development to save our environment. It will definitely go a long way in preserving and conserving the deteriorating environmental landscape of the country. However, the most pertinent aspect of this exercise is its sincere implementation without which it will prove to be counterproductive only. The ban on manufacturing scheduled plastic items is a logical measure which requires to be implemented strictly. It is to be verified whether all such units are closed and relocated in terms of government policy as sufficient time was given to the manufacturers. Another major concern is ensuring meticulous public compliance and general awareness and simultaneously ensuring supply of viable alternatives to banned plastic items. Bio-degradable materials should be introduced as suitable substitutes. This will also encourage widening the scope of localised and cottage industry and exploring the potential of other related manufacturing activities and promoting new avenues of employment in the country.

Jagdish Chander

eco-friendly options need to be encouraged

The Central and state governments’ ban on the single-use plastic having low utility and high littering potential across the country is a step in the right direction. The creaky waste management of these disposable, non-biodegradable items in our burgeoning cities and villages has an adverse impact on human life, wildlife and environment as these freely fly in the air, choke the drains, make way into landfills and waterbodies and pollute them. While it has received wide applause from the concerned citizens, a large number of small plastic manufacturers and other stakeholders have expressed reservations, citing inflation and job losses. Major consumer companies that use plastic for packaging biscuits, noodles, tea, detergent powders, shampoos, milk, edible oils, etc, have already adopted paper and other alternative sustainable solutions. But many shopkeepers and vendors are still using plastic bags with impunity. For ensuring the success of this ban in a phased manner, the authorities should create awareness among the public about plastic pollution and encourage them to switch over to eco-friendly options. Though they have set up national and state-level control rooms and formed special enforcement teams to check the illegal manufacture, sale and use of the banned items, any laxity in strict implementation of the ban will prove counterproductive. They should take a stringent punitive action against those who violate the ban. They should also give relief and rehabilitation packages to those affected. Let us all strive for a greener, healthier planet.

DS Kang

form special teams

to enforce ban

The government has done well to ban the manufacture, sale and use of single-use plastic items. This noble initiative will help curb the important environmental pollution challenge caused by unmanaged plastic waste in the country. Unfortunately, a large number of market vendors and shopkeepers who cannot afford costly strong paper bags are still using plastic bags because customers do not carry cloth bags with them. Complete enforcement of this nationwide ban is a challenging task. Effective engagement and concerted efforts by all stakeholders and enthusiastic public participation are the imperative for its successful implementation. Special teams and control rooms should be created for proper monitoring. Strict action should be taken against willful violators. They should be duly fined and put behind bars. The government should find a readily available and cost-effective replacement to avert a plastic calamity. This will protect human health, wildlife and environment, and make our earth a better place to live more sustainably and happily.

Simran & Tajpreet S Kang

plastic bottles have to be shunned first

Plastic items are quite common in the market and are readily available at any shop. The major problem that occurs from polythene bags is that they choke drains and the sewerage system. The reason being that polythene or plastic does not dissolve in the waste water and creates hindrances in the smooth flow of wastewater in drains. Paper or handbags easily dissolve in the drains. The government is in a mood to halt the manufacturing of plastic items, which are harmful towards health and creates a number of health hazards. The question arises that how the manufacturing units will meet the public demand to packaged items like milk, oils, packed foods, frozen foods and number of other items? Now the ban is in place, people need to shun the use of plastic bottles, especially of juices, etc., and take to tinned food items. Citizens have to educated towards using fresh vegetables rather than frozen ones. For water, people will have to use steel, copper flasks. Though such measures sound difficult and tedious, masses have to be encouraged to make a behavioural change. Otherwise, no matter how forcefully the government implement the ban, it wouldn’t succeed in the long run.

Rajat Kumar Mohindru

seek cooperation from vendors

The Government of India has taken an excellent step to ban the single-use plastic items. It will control the spread of pollution caused by littered and unmanaged plastic waste. Now, we as citizens must play our part by carrying cloth or paper bags when going out to grocery stores to buy vegetables, milk and other items. In order to help the government in reducing plastic pollution, local sellers can also keep cloth bags, paper bags or jute bags as alternatives. Notably, most items that are banned can be replaced with similar items made out of paper. Those who don’t follow the rules should be punished as per the Environment Protection Act of 1986, which implies that violators may face a jail term of up to five years or Rs 1 lakh penalty or both.

Prabhneet Kaur

opt for containers made of glass, metals

We have been so addicted to the use of plastics that almost every item we use or buy contains plastic in one form or the other, and coming out of its clutches will be a gradual process. Shifting to paper made disposable products overnight will pose a burden on environment as it will gear up deforestation. Therefore we need to act mindfully. Firstly, we need to avoid use of disposables as much as possible and encourage glass and metal cutlery. We have to re-embrace the habit of carrying our own traditional cloth and jute bags while going to shops, replacing plastic carry bags. We need to cease the use of straws as a matter of fashion as it is a serious threat to lives of many aquatic animals, when dumped into water bodies. As far as the implementation of the ban is concerned, authorities need to curb the production of plastics as well, apart from posing fines on its use. At the end of the day, we, the citizens, hold the responsibility to make sure the proper enforcement of these laws as it is not about following a mere rule, rather it’s about doing our bit to save the environment.

Manveer Kaur

QUESTION

Led by senior officers, the district police recently conducted a massive cordon and search operation to nab anti-social elements and drug peddlers. Do you think such initiatives by the police will help create a sense of security among public?

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to [email protected] by Thursday (July 14)

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#Environment #Pollution #Polythene Ban #Single Use Plastic Ban