It is time that we did something for the environment and now we are finally doing something. It has been noticed that the growing number of retailers who emphasize on the fact that you carry your own bag while going shopping is increasing rapidly. Is this something good or bad?
I recently entered the neighborhood grocery store from where I normally buy my essentials. The bill came to around Rs.1600/-. The person who was at the counter asked me if I had a bag to which I replied that I did not. He charged me a sum of Rs.10/- for two bags. When asked about this sudden change, the man looked at me and said that it certainly was not something sudden. It had been going on for sometime, only I was not aware of it. I will not lie but this incident left me annoyed and satisfied at the same time. Annoyed because it really hurt to pay Rs.10/- for bags and satisfied because we were finally waking up to the call of Mother Nature in need.
After a few days as I was walking out with a friend of mine, I noticed a store which sold carry bags for a refund of Rs. 15/- . A banner put outside the store clearly said that “Bring the carry bag in any condition and get Rs. 15/-. Two similar yet dissimilar cases in the same week was quite a fascinating situation.
Bags which are more than 40 microns are what we refer to as environment friendly bags. These bags are biodegradable, release less toxic pollutants, cause less litter and do not have such a great impact on landfills. They are eco-friendly bags and help in reducing the hazards that are caused to the environment because of plastic bags.
The government has taken up strict laws and regulations, especially the state governments. In places where consumers still demand for carry bags, the retailers are ordered to sell these bags at fixed prices, no excuse is to be tolerated. In other places where they do not charge for carry bags, the retailers are ordered to use bags which are more than 40 microns. The burning of plastics is to be reduced and is completely banned in some other places. Instead of polythene bags, there are ways of reducing your use of plastics. You can always opt for bags which are made out of paper, cloth or for heavier products, jute.
The government rules and regulations have definitely taken a little longer to implement but then finally with the laws having coming to practice, the use of plastic bags has been under strict control. This allows the environment to be protected from further pollution by such non-biodegradable bags. Even though it may take some time for individuals to get acquainted with this new way of life, the effects of this practice will seek fruitful results in the future. The face that it has been implemented late in India and was already in practice in other countries makes it even more urgent a situation to help increase this process of banning the use of plastic bags with rapidity and ensuring a better and sustainable life for the present as well as future generation.
