Use of “Plastic Bags” banned in some states in India

To control pollution to the environment by the use/disposal of plastic bags, several countries in the world have banned the use of plastic bags as listed below:-

• Germany,
• South Africa,
• Italy,
• Australia,
• Somalia,
• Botswana,
• Philippines,
• Uganda,
• Kenya,
• Japan,
• Turkey,
• Zanzibar,
• Eritrea,
• Ethiopia,
• Papua,
• New Guinea,
• Samoa,
• Belgium,
• South Korea,
• Singapore,
• Sweden Bhutan,
• Malta,
• China,
• Some states in USA and
• Some states in India.

In India the use of plastic bags has been banned in the following states:-

• Bengaluru /Bangalore (Ban on plastics in Bengaluru was imposed from mid march 2016)
• Maharashtra,
• Delhi,
• Punjab,
• Rajasthan,
• Himanchal Pradesh,
• Goa and
• West Bengal

The above ban may/should follow to be implemented in other states in India also and in many more countries in the world.

In September 2009, “Delhi Pollution Control Committee”/DPCC had filed a case against “Bata Shoe Stores” for using and keeping stock of plastic bags against the “Environment Protection Act” and the notification of the Delhi Government banning the use of plastic bags.In the above case against “Bata Shoe Stores” in Delhi the Court has directed the accused shoe company/stores to pay a fine of Rs 1 Lac. The fine amount is to be used by the “DPCC” for distributing bio-degradable bags which are environment-friendly to maximum number of small shop-keepers and for creating awareness among people about eco-friendly bags.

According the Delhi court plastic wastes when disposed off still remain in the environment being non-biodegradable and pollute the environment and cause health risks including the deadly disease- “cancer”.

Since enforcement of the plastic bags-ban notification in the state of Delhi, six cases have been decided in the court while 120 are in various stages of hearing.

People in the entire world especially the people of India are accustomed to the use of plastic bags. Various state Governments in India are trying to create awareness to the general public on the environment pollution and health risks caused by the use of plastic bags.

To get the full benefit of plastic bags use ban, the manufacture and sale of plastic bags must be banned and stopped.

It is similar to ban in some states in India on use of liquor/tobacco products on one side and allowing manufacture and sale of liquor/tobacco products on the other side.

In a democratic country ruled by political parties like India the above situation is somewhat difficult to change.

We, the people must avoid using plastic carry bags and instead carry our own cloth bag or some ‘bio-degradable’ bag with us while going for shopping and say “No” to plastic bags.