Stuck with plastic

The government has finally woken up to the menace of single-use plastic, though it has stopped short of announcing a blanket ban. Such plastic, commonly used for packaging and carrying goods, is disposable, but its indiscriminate disposal has been wreaking havoc on the environment. Even as PM Narendra Modi is envisioning an India free of single-use plastic by 2022, the onus is on various stakeholders, right from the industry to the consumer, to decrease (and eventually stop) its consumption and popularise alternatives such as paper and jute. The prevailing economic slowdown and the prospect of more job losses have prevented the NDA government, characteristically not known for restraint and moderation, from rushing into a knee-jerk decision. As of now, single-use plastic will not be allowed inside national monuments and within 100 metres of their boundary.

The national focus on generating public awareness about the boon-turned-bane is a welcome move. The imposition of bans and fines has often proved counter-productive due to lax enforcement and widespread non-cooperation. Old habits die hard. A behavioural change can happen only if a mass movement sweeps the country. It is imperative to break the demand-and-supply cycle. Himachal Pradesh has taken the lead by deciding to buy-back non-recyclable plastic waste and single-use plastic at a minimum support price of Rs 75 per kg. Such incentives can go a long way in curbing the availability of the eco-unfriendly material. Installing plastic disposal machines at railway stations and other public places is also a step in the right direction.

Converting toxic waste into something productive is another challenge. Indian Oil Corporation plans to employ its refinery operations to turn single-use plastic waste into specialised bitumen that can be utilised for the construction of roads and highways. More such out-of-the-box ideas are needed. India can even draw inspiration from an unexpected quarter, Rwanda. According to a report of the UN Environment Programme, the African country — once ravaged by civil war and genocide — has become one of the cleanest countries on the planet due to its proactive campaign against single-use plastic. Where there’s a will, there’s a plastic-free way.