As the world’s population continues to grow, so does the amount of garbage that people produce. On-the-go lifestyles require easily disposable products, such as soda cans or bottles of water, but the accumulation of these products has led to increasing amounts of plastic pollution around the world. India generates 56 lakh tonnes of plastic waste annually, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).  

A survey reveals that vegetable, fruit and meat vendors are the biggest users of plastic carry bags in the country. In the past the capital administration had made several ‘abortive’ attempts to ban plastic use especially in the form of carry bags. However, doing so has been no easy feat and after a short time period the administration’s order loses in front of an incorrigible populace.Arunachal must learn from Sikkim which has managed to come up with some interesting alternatives to plastic use. Their meat and vegetable vendors use newspaper wrappings and this hilly state has earned kudos for being able to do so when rest have failed.

 

Plastics make up for almost ninety percent of the garbage of the capital complex. With no concrete solid waste management plan, the administration is seemingly helpless to tackle the menace. There is a need to create awareness among the people and market bodies must also be coaxed to dissuade plastic use among the business community. If plastic is banned in the state, the monumental garbage problem will be largely eliminated.

On the plus side, as opposed to earlier times, people now have grown conscious about their imprint on the environment and also of the potential of individual effort in bringing about change. Change begins with small efforts and citizens on a personal level must try to shrug off their dependence on plastics wherever possible. Saying no to polythene carry bags as an individual might seem trivial but imagine when a lakh plus capital dwellers do this—the world would be a much cleaner place.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu last year submitted a memorandum to the people appealing to shun plastics use and help the government keep cities and the environment clean. Taking that as a cue, this scribe would like to suggest that the HCM must issue orders to the government departments to restrict the use of mineral water bottles and foam food containers such as plates during government programmes.  This will aid in effective waste management and what better than to lead by example.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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