BAN PLASTIC BAGS FOR PROTECTING ENVIRONMENT

In olden days people use to carry cloth bags or jute bags to the shop to purchase grocery or other things but when plastic is discovered it became part and parcel of our lives, whatever we do we use plastic in day to life, whether it is a plastic mug, plastic bucket or plastic containers we use in kitchen. The biggest problem with the plastic bags which are used for packing of milk, oil, salt etc they become big environmental problem. when we go for shopping the shop owners give, shopping plastic bag which is handy but which is destroying the environment. Plastic bags are light, sturdy and easy to carry. They are cheaper than paper. Plastics are reuse in the home. We see so many beautiful and fashionable and colorful bags but how much these bags will harm environment
Many people do not know the problem with plastic bags is
· Plastic is not biodegradable
· When buried plastic will choke the drainages
· When burnt plastics will emit poisonous gases
To make plastic one has to use the petroleum products, plastic production and processing require the use of toxic chemicals. Many manufacturing plants that produce these chemicals also produce hazardous waste and pollute the air. Five of the top six were chemicals commonly used by the plastic industry [propylene, phenol, ethylene, polystyrene, and benzene]. Platics which are substitute to traditional storage materials become problem to the environment.
A small town Tadipatri in Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh has set a example for plastic ban. Citizens of this industrial town in the district are setting an example to the entire State by strictly adhering to the ban on use of plastic (polythene) carry bags and tea cups and drinking water tumblers imposed by the municipal council. The ban has been practically in force from January 26. Cooperation from traders, fruit vendors, street vendors and roadside tea stalls after the initial reluctance has made the ban a successful exercise. And, citizens are also getting used to alternative methods like carrying handbags for shopping and using paper tumblers, if necessary. Doubts persisted among citizens when the civic body announced its decision to ban plastic use. The resolve of the civic body to improve sanitation and to prevent health hazards with the use of plastic carry bags has gone down well with the public.
"It was difficult initially to make a changeover from plastic carry bags to paper. But both customers and vendors are getting accustomed to the situation now," says a fruit vendor on the busy Kadapa-Bellary road in the town. Instead of packing the fruits in polythene carry bags, fruit vendors are wrapping up the fruits in old newspapers now.
To make the ban work, municipal staff conducted raids on shops initially and seized about 120 kg of plastic carry bags, tea cups and tumblers. It was announced that a penalty of Rs. 2,500 would be imposed if one were found either selling or using the plastic carry bags or tea cups. Three traders were booked for violation of the ban and penalty was collected so far. Roadside tea stalls have also stopped using plastic teacups and instead, they have turned to the old system of glass or stainless steel tumblers for serving tea and coffee.
This is a good example for others in the country when we are taking about environment, one should follow example set by this small town.
Carrying Plastic should be banned by law and the people were asked to carry the cloth bags while shopping whether it is for grocery or other shopping
Anything can be achieved one people determined and authorities impose ban on use of plastic bags.
Let ever one pledge to carry jute or cloth bag for shopping
Make India as green India.