Mainstreaming Alternatives to Single Use - Plastic Use

Through Innovation and Creativity

We are the citizens of the world; the tragedy of our Times is that we do not
know this.
This is a famous quotation given by Woodrow Wilson.

We people never think about it; we are just so busy fulfilling our selfishness. One day
like other days some humans like us created a thing which has now become a threat
for all living creatures in this world. It is plastic.

Since the dawn of history humankind has endeavoured to develop materials offering
benefits not found in natural products. Development of plastics started with the use
of natural materials intrinsic plastic properties such as shellac and chewing gum.
Then finally with chemical modifications a wide range of completely synthetic
materials that we would recognise as modern plastics started to be developed
around hundred years ago.

Plastics are the source of a huge, continually expanding range of innovations that
contribute to sustainability, safety, longer lives and better performance. In our
everyday lives at home, in the office and on the road, plastics are there fulfilling
some essential role in an efficient, convenient and cost-effective manner.

From its history it has been used very widely all over the world. Now it has become a
major problem. Soon a time will come when instead of sea creatures, plastic waste
will be floating in seas, rivers and oceans. So many stray animals die every year due
to swallowing plastic bags which we people throw on the roads. We are so used to
plastics and at this present time we can't stop using it immediately but day by day
we can use alternatives to single use plastic use through innovation and
creativity.

With the government proposing to prohibit plastic items in stages, the environment
department of our country is formulating an action plan after consulting experts on
possible alternatives for identified single use plastic.

The environment ministry has proposed prohibiting sale and manufacture of 6 items
including earbuds, plastic sticks, balloons, candy sticks, plastic bags and thermocline
from January 2022 and 13 items including plates, cups, glasses, cutlery etc. from
July 2022.
The centre is targeting to phase out single use plastic mission mode bye 2022 from
the country; the government plans to prohibit the sale and manufacture of plastic
bags less than 240 microns from this October. The banning of these items is part of
the draft Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2021.

The global commitments against single use plastic underline a general sentiment to
act against plastic pollution. Bans on plastic bags and Styrofoam items can
effectively counter some of the symptoms of plastic over use. Better waste
management systems along with circular thinking can help achieve long-term
impacts.

Public pressure can act as a trigger for policy decision making. In Bali for instance,
the "Bye Bye Plastic Bags" initiative is a social campaign led by youth to mobilize
people in Bali to say no to plastic bags.
Similarly, in New Zealand a petition launched by a group of high school students
calling on the central government to impose a NZD 0.10 levy on all plastic bags in
supermarkets which gained more than 17000 signatures.

Reduction strategies are another option to lessen the number of plastic bags and
the amount of single use plastic packaging.
The promotion and adoption of reusable bags as alternatives to plastic bags is an
example of a reduction strategy where the choice rests with the consumer.

Voluntary agreements are another example.

They are drawn between the government and the producers or retailers which can
act as an alternative to bans and be an effective instrument demonstrating public
private collaboration.

Governments have introduced different policy tools, from bands to economic

instruments such as taxes. The uptake of affordable, eco-friendly and fit for purpose
alternatives and recycling technologies can be facilitated through the introduction of
economic incentives (including tax rebates, research and development funds,
technology incubation
support and public-private partnerships).
Finally, consumers should be aware that the easiest way to minimise the
environmental impact of carrier bags is to reuse them as many times as possible.
Communication materials can be distributed to inform citizens about available
alternatives.

The overall assessment shows that the actions can be painless and profitable with
huge gains for people and the planet that help avert the costly downstream costs of
pollution. In addition, it will drive the kind of innovation that will underpin the future of
the global economy we need.
At the end a thought arises,
Plastic isn't the problem. It’s what we do with it. And that means the onus is on
us to be far smarter in how we use this material.